Holding hands: Difference between revisions
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{{short description|Form of physical intimacy}} |
{{short description|Form of physical intimacy}} |
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[[File:Guaricano-Bambini.JPG|Two [[Dominican Republic|Dominican]] children holding hands|thumb|right]] |
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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 |
[[File:Holding Hands.jpg|thumb|Mexican teenagers holding hands during [[modern dance]].]] |
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==Cultural aspects== |
==Cultural aspects== |
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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.|title=An appetitional theory of sexual motivation.|journal=Psychological Review |
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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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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 /> |
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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| ⚫ | 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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| ⚫ | In [[Arab countries]], [[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> |
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==Physical and psychological aspects== |
==Physical and psychological aspects== |
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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> |
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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==See also== |
==See also== |
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* [[Public display of affection]] |
* [[Public display of affection]] |
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* [[Human chain (politics)|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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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
