Girlfriend is a term that can refer to either a female partner in a non-marital romantic relationship or a female non-intimate friend that is closer than other friends. This term is often used loosely, and there is some debate over what exactly constitutes a girlfriend. In western society, it is generally agreed that girlfriend status begins when two people agree to date. Getting a girl to agree to such an arrangement is considered a milestone for young males, and is often seen as a sign of status, based on the perception of the girl amongst the male's peers.