Holding hands: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Form of physical intimacy}} |
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{{sources|date=July 2007}} |
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{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2019}} |
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{{double image|right|Guaricano-Bambini.JPG|250|Bundesarchiv Bild 183-U0825-010, Ahlbeck, Frauen beim Ostsee-Bad.jpg|295|Two children holding hands|Three girls holding hands at Ostsee Bad, August 1979}} |
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[[File:Crew 2016-01-10 (Unsplash xCmvrpzctaQ).jpg|Stock photo of a couple holding hands|thumb|right]] |
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[[File:Holding Hands.jpg|thumb|Mexican teenagers holding hands during [[modern dance]].]] |
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'''Holding hands''' is a form of [[physical intimacy]] involving two or more people. It may or may not be |
'''Holding hands''' is a form of [[physical intimacy]] involving two or more people. It may or may not be [[Romance (love)|romantic]]. Couples often hold hands while walking together outdoors. |
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==Cultural aspects== |
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[[File: |
[[File:50 Years of Togetherness.jpg|thumb|A couple holds hands on their fiftieth anniversary]] |
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In [[Western 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 by [[culture]] and [[gender 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.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hardy |first1=Kenneth R. |date=1964 |title=An appetitional theory of sexual motivation |url=https://content.apa.org/record/1964-05180-001 |journal=Psychological Review |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1037/h0047158 |pmid=14105716 |via=APA PsycNet}}</ref> |
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Whether friends hold hands depends on [[culture]] and [[gender role|gender]]: in the Western culture this is mainly done by women and small children (sometimes for authoritative control, not affection), spouses and romantic couples. In Arab countries, [[Africa]] and some parts of Asia it is done also by men and/or boys for [[friendship]] and/or a sign of respect. It is also fairly common to see teenage girls holding hands as a sign of friendship, though the same does not often apply for teenage boys. |
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Same-sex couples may avoid holding hands in public due to [[homophobia]]. In 2012, an average of 74% of gay men and 51% of lesbian women responded to an EU [[Fundamental Rights Agency]] survey saying they avoid holding hands in public for fear of harassment or assault.<ref name=fraSurvey>{{cite web|title=EU LGBT survey - European Union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survey - Main results|url=http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-eu-lgbt-survey-main-results_tk3113640enc_1.pdf|publisher=Fundamental Rights Agency|access-date=31 October 2014|page=87|date=October 2014}}</ref> These responses varied from 45% to 89% depending on country, with an average of 66%.<ref name=fraSurvey /> |
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The custom of men holding hands can cause discomfort in societies unused to it, as it did with Americans, when, in 2005, then Crown Prince [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]] held hands in public with then American president [[George W Bush]].<ref>http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/04/27/eveningnews/main691413.shtml</ref> |
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In [[Arab countries]], [[North Africa]], some parts of Asia and traditionally in some [[Mediterranean]] and [[Southern European]] cultures (especially in [[Sicily]]), males also hold hands for [[friendship]] and as a sign of respect;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff Reporter |date=3 Dec 2014 |title=Hold hands in friendship – and be proud to be an African |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2014-12-03-hold-hands-in-friendship-and-be-proud-to-be-an-african/ |access-date=27 Feb 2022 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Eric |last2=Magrath |first2=Rory |last3=Bullingham|first3=Rachael|title=Out in Sport: The experiences of openly gay and lesbian athletes in competitive sport|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pX2PCwAAQBAJ|year=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-29542-6|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=pX2PCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42&dq=%22homosocial+tactility+in+homophobic+cultures%22+%22men+hold+hands%22 42]}}</ref> a custom which is especially noticed by societies unused to it, for instance when, in 2005, Crown Prince [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]] held hands with the United States President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Holguin |first=Jaime |date=April 27, 2005 |title=Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abdullah-bush-stroll-strikes-nerve/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013527/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abdullah-bush-stroll-strikes-nerve/ |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref> |
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[[Image:President Direct Election Movement Ming-te Shih Yi-hsiung Lin and Hsin-liang Hsu.jpg|thumb|Taiwan political figure [[Shih Ming-te]] with other political activists.]] |
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People hold each others hands, or one person takes the hand of another person for the following reasons or purposes: {{Citation needed|date=July 2011}} |
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*in various rituals: |
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**[[handshake]] |
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**in certain religious services, to [[prayer|pray]] |
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**in various [[religious]] rituals |
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*to express [[friendship]] or [[love]] |
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*to enjoy [[physical intimacy]] (not necessarily of [[erotic]] character) |
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*for [[emotion]]al support |
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*to guide (a child, a blind person, in darkness, etc.) |
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*to urge to follow |
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*to keep together (in a crowd or in darkness) |
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*to help the other walk, stand or climb up |
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*to [[dance]] |
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*to maintain one's balance |
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*to [[arm wrestling|arm wrestle]] |
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*for safety when crossing the street |
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*while [[sky diving]] |
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*to rescue in a dangerous situation by pulling someone to safety |
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*to compare size or shape of another's hand |
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==Physical and psychological aspects== |
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== Gallery == |
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According to [[Tiffany Field]], the director of the Touch Research Institute, holding hands stimulates the [[vagus nerve]], which decreases [[blood pressure]] and [[heart rate]] and puts people in a more relaxed state.<ref name="science">{{cite web|author1=Dignity Health|title=The Science Behind The Profound Power Of Holding Hands|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/power-of-holding-hands_us_57435a8be4b00e09e89fc162|website=Huffington Post|access-date=16 April 2018|date=31 May 2016}}</ref> |
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{{Gallery |
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|title= |
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|footer= |
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|width=175 |
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|height=130 |
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|lines=2 |
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|File:N12453669 33496777 98.jpg|A man and a woman holding hands with fingers [[intertwine]]d |
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|File:Bundesarchiv Bild 146-1977-087-17A, Badeleben, Heringsdorf, Ostsee.jpg| |
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|File:Bundesarchiv Bild 183-1985-0122-018, Kassow, Spaziergang der Krippenkinder.jpg|Walking children holding hands |
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|File:Rainbow Gathering Bosnia 2007.JPG|People holding hands in Bosnia, summer 2007 |
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}} |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Physical intimacy]] |
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* [[Public display of affection]] |
* [[Public display of affection]] |
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* [[Human chain]] |
* [[Human chain (politics)|Human chain]] |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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[[Category:Human communication]] |
[[Category:Human communication]] |
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[[Category:Hand]] |
[[Category:Hand]] |
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[[zh-min-nan:Khan-chhiú]] |
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[[de:Händchenhalten]] |
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[[fi:Kädestä kiinnipitäminen]] |
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Latest revision as of 02:28, 28 January 2024
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Holding hands is a form of physical intimacy involving two or more people. It may or may not be romantic. Couples often hold hands while walking together outdoors.
Cultural aspects[edit]
In Western 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 by culture and gender 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 to homophobia. In 2012, an average of 74% of gay men and 51% of lesbian women responded to an EU Fundamental Rights Agency survey 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]
In Arab countries, North Africa, some parts of Asia and traditionally in some Mediterranean and Southern European cultures (especially in Sicily), males also hold hands for friendship and as a sign of respect;[3][4] a custom which is especially noticed by societies unused to it, for instance when, in 2005, Crown Prince Abdullah of Saudi Arabia held hands with the United States President George W. Bush.[5]
Physical and psychological aspects[edit]
According to Tiffany Field, the director of the Touch Research Institute, holding hands stimulates the vagus nerve, which decreases blood pressure and heart rate and puts people in a more relaxed state.[6]
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. PMID 14105716 – via APA PsycNet.
- ^ a b "EU LGBT survey - European Union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survey - Main results" (PDF). Fundamental Rights Agency. October 2014. p. 87. Retrieved 31 October 2014.
- ^ Staff Reporter (3 December 2014). "Hold hands in friendship – and be proud to be an African". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Eric; Magrath, Rory; Bullingham, Rachael (2016). Out in Sport: The experiences of openly gay and lesbian athletes in competitive sport. Routledge. p. 42. ISBN 978-1-317-29542-6.
- ^ Holguin, Jaime (27 April 2005). "Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve". CBS News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
- ^ Dignity Health (31 May 2016). "The Science Behind The Profound Power Of Holding Hands". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 April 2018.
External links[edit]
Media related to Holding hands at Wikimedia Commons
