American culture—along with many more reserved European nations—is not comfortable with simple touch between men. While many global cultures express male/male friendship with embrace, linking arms, and even holding hands or a kiss on the cheek, the U.S. and likeminded cultures get nervous at anything much more than a handshake. But what does that physical isolation do to us?
A blog post from The Good Men Project asks, "… [W]here does this leave men? Physically and emotionally isolated. Cut off from the deeply human physical contact that is proven to reduce stress, encourage self-esteem and create community. Instead, we walk in the vast crowds of our cities alone in a desert of disconnection. Starving for physical connection." It's easy to forget the healing, grounding power of physical touch. Let's work to reclaim kind, appropriate, affectionate touch in our communities.
