Holding hands
Holding handsis a form ofphysical intimacyinvolving two or more people. It may or may not beromantic.Couples often hold hands while walking together outdoors.
Cultural aspects
[edit]
InWestern culture,spouses and romantic couples often hold hands as a sign of affection or to express psychological closeness. Non-romantic friends may also hold hands, although acceptance of this varies bycultureandgender role.Parents or guardians may hold the hands of small children to exercise guidance or authority. In terms of romance, handholding is often used in the early stages of dating or courtship to express romantic interest in a partner. Handholding is also common in advanced stages of a romantic relationship where it may be used to signify or seek solace and reassurance.[1]
Same-sex couples may avoid holding hands in public due tohomophobia.In 2012, an average of 74% of gay men and 51% of lesbian women responded to an EUFundamental Rights Agencysurvey saying they avoid holding hands in public for fear of harassment or assault.[2]These responses varied from 45% to 89% depending on country, with an average of 66%.[2]
InArab countries,North Africa,some parts of Asia and traditionally in someMediterraneanandSouthern Europeancultures (especially inSicily), males also hold hands forfriendshipand as a sign of respect;[3][4]a custom which is especially noticed by societies unused to it, for instance when, in 2005, Crown PrinceAbdullah of Saudi Arabiaheld hands with the United States PresidentGeorge W. Bush.[5][6]
Physical and psychological aspects
[edit]According toTiffany Field,the director of the Touch Research Institute, holding hands stimulates thevagus nerve,which decreasesblood pressureandheart rateand puts people in a more relaxed state.[7]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^Hardy, Kenneth R. (1964)."An appetitional theory of sexual motivation".Psychological Review.71(1): 1–18.doi:10.1037/h0047158.PMID14105716– via APA PsycNet.
- ^ab"EU LGBT survey - European Union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survey - Main results"(PDF).Fundamental Rights Agency. October 2014. p. 87.Retrieved31 October2014.
- ^Staff Reporter (3 December 2014)."Hold hands in friendship – and be proud to be an African".The Mail & Guardian.Retrieved27 February2022.
- ^Anderson, Eric; Magrath, Rory; Bullingham, Rachael (2016).Out in Sport: The experiences of openly gay and lesbian athletes in competitive sport.Routledge. p.42.ISBN978-1-317-29542-6.
- ^Holguin, Jaime (27 April 2005)."Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve".CBS News.Archivedfrom the original on 12 November 2020.Retrieved27 February2022.
- ^Fattah, Hassan M. (1 May 2005)."The Basics; Why Arab Men Hold Hands".The New York Times.Archivedfrom the original on 28 June 2023.Retrieved16 June2024.
- ^Dignity Health (31 May 2016)."The Science Behind The Profound Power Of Holding Hands".Huffington Post.Retrieved16 April2018.
External links
[edit]
Media related toHolding handsat Wikimedia Commons
