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The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men's Lives is a Killer
The Good Men Project ^ | June 2018 | Mark Greene

Posted on 07/01/2019 12:06:35 PM PDT by CondoleezzaProtege

In American culture, we believe that men can never be entirely trusted in the realm of the physical. We collectively suspect that, given the opportunity, men will collapse into the sexual at a moment’s notice. That men don’t know how to physically connect otherwise. That men can’t control themselves. That men are dogs.

There is no corresponding narrative about women.

And where 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.

How often do men actually get the opportunity to express affection through long lasting platonic touch? How often does it happen between men? Or between men and women? Not a hand shake or a hug, but lasting physical contact between two people that is comforting and personal but not sexual. Between persons who are not lovers and never will be. Think, holding hands. Or leaning on each other. Sitting together...And if you are a man, imagine a five minutes of contact with another man. How quickly does that idea raise the ugly specter of homophobia? And why?

I doubt its a question the average Italian man would ever ask himself. But here in America, generations of Puritanical sexual shaming have made it a central question. By putting the fear of the sexual first in all our interactions, we have thrown out the baby with the bathwater, avoiding all contact rather than risk even the hint of unwanted sexual touch.

American culture leaves boys few options. While aggression on the basketball court or bullying in the locker room often results in sporadic moments of human contact, gentleness likely does not...

(Excerpt) Read more at goodmenproject.com ...


TOPICS: Society
KEYWORDS: affection; chivalry; italian; love; masculinity; mentalhealth; platonic; puritanical; relationships; schizophrenia
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To: NFHale

Blessings to you.


121 posted on 07/01/2019 7:59:12 PM PDT by Bigg Red (WWG1WGA)
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To: bagster

Are you saying my father (regular hunter growing up, gun-toting protector to moms parents during Baltimore riots, etc) his father (WWI artillery France) and my other grandfather (slaughterhouse owner, Liberty ship builder, and riot protector as well) are not men enough to handle anything and are “feminized”?

You would be SORELY mistaken.

If feminized means holding Christian behavior, then I’m all for it.

When Isay I have plenty experience on FR’s “women” threads I mean it. It’s the same old woman bashing and extreme redneck stereotyping and chest-thumping about how men have to be careless soulless assholes with zero care for anyone, their feelings or opinions, by their very descriptions. Someone reads only FR they might think that is what a “real” man is. Anything else seems to be their definition of “woman”.


122 posted on 07/01/2019 8:01:05 PM PDT by the OlLine Rebel (Common sense is an uncommon virtue./Federal-run medical care is as good as state-run DMVs)
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To: Bigg Red

You as well.

I appreciate it.


123 posted on 07/01/2019 8:01:13 PM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: NFHale

But your father, and his confreres, did love one another, and express their love in a physical way, which was most likely platonic - didn’t they?

(just trying to stick with the subject of the original post...)


124 posted on 07/01/2019 8:31:01 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Jamestown1630

They were Brothers in the sense of shared combat experience, shared hardships, and shared victories.

Highly doubtful that they EVER would have thought of it as “love”.

They formed lifelong friendships, helped each other out through rough times after the war as well.

Again, I don’t think they thought of it as “love” - just “Hey... these guys saved my life. I owe them.”

And if by “physical” you mean a handshake and a slap on the back, offering a cigar and shot of bourbon when they saw each other, yes.

Any other physical way, no, not so much. Not in my line of sight.


125 posted on 07/01/2019 8:37:56 PM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: NFHale
They formed lifelong friendships, helped each other out through rough times after the war as well.

And you don't call that 'love'?

Maybe someone has screwed with your head, and taught you that 'love' is only something between a man and a woman.
126 posted on 07/01/2019 8:46:43 PM PDT by Jamestown1630 ("A Republic, if you can keep it")
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To: Jamestown1630

“...And you don’t call that ‘love’?...”

No, I call that friendship. Or Brotherhood, maybe.

Maybe you read something different from the article than I did. I’ll leave it there.

Have a good night.


127 posted on 07/01/2019 9:01:27 PM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: the OlLine Rebel

According to The Man Law, if you have to hold your wife’s purse, you must hold as if you are carrying a football.


128 posted on 07/01/2019 9:07:51 PM PDT by dfwgator (Endut! Hoch Hech!)
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To: Jamestown1630
I am a woman; and I keenly felt at that moment that he would have welcomed a hug.

Ah, but then you would be acting on YOUR perceptions and what YOU would want. I hope your feelings don't get you into trouble, Mrs. Biden.

129 posted on 07/02/2019 12:41:31 AM PDT by blu (WWG1WGA)
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To: the OlLine Rebel
Have news for you: our very cultural background of CHRISTIANITY started this “feminization”. Men of western - Christian - culture are much kinder and gentler and fairer than other cultures, by its demands.

So the only good men are Christian men? Wow, that kinda cuts the "available" pool down a bit.

If those are your requirements, fine. But don't try to make such a broad statement for the rest of mankind.

130 posted on 07/02/2019 12:50:56 AM PDT by blu (WWG1WGA)
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To: the OlLine Rebel
Frankly I’m experienced with FR discussions relating to this same old topic and anything relating to it, and it’s the same stuff.

And yet...

131 posted on 07/02/2019 12:54:12 AM PDT by blu (WWG1WGA)
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To: the OlLine Rebel
hen Isay I have plenty experience on FR’s “women” threads I mean it.

And yet...

132 posted on 07/02/2019 12:59:00 AM PDT by blu (WWG1WGA)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

The Lack of Gentle Platonic Touch in Men’s Lives is a Killer

HorsePucky


133 posted on 07/02/2019 12:59:53 AM PDT by weston (As far as I'm concerned, it's Christ or nothing)
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To: Jamestown1630
And you don't call that 'love'?

And you don't understand the diffent languages of the sexes. It seems as tho you want men to have a female's perspective on the subject of love and touching. Unless you know the difference, you're coming at this all wrong.

Each sex has defined roles. It's best not to blur the lines.

Oh, and I'm a girl, I would have no sooner asked my husband to hold my purse (why would I need him to do that? Didn't I pack the purse knowing that I would be responsible for it? And as for feminine products...uhhh, I'm the girl, it's my responsibility to attend to my feminine needs. This would be akin to my husband asking me to go to the next furnace job and replace the thermocouple, or telling me I had to field dress a deer. We each had our roles/jobs to fulfill)

134 posted on 07/02/2019 1:08:21 AM PDT by blu (WWG1WGA)
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To: NFHale

Thumbs up on your comment!


135 posted on 07/02/2019 3:55:07 AM PDT by octex
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To: KevinB

Yep - seems like he’s saying “give it a try - you’ll like it”...


136 posted on 07/02/2019 4:34:12 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: CondoleezzaProtege

Went to the site and it seems “The Good Men Project” has the purpose of indoctrinating children on up to the “normalcy” of the abnormal...


137 posted on 07/02/2019 4:36:06 AM PDT by trebb (Don't howl about illegal leeches, or Trump in general, while not donating to FR - it's hypocritical.)
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To: dfwgator

OMG... “Planes, Trains, and Automobiles”.

Best scene ever! Haha!


138 posted on 07/02/2019 4:51:54 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: blu

Outstanding post.


139 posted on 07/02/2019 5:03:29 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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To: octex

:^)


140 posted on 07/02/2019 5:03:48 AM PDT by NFHale (The Second Amendment - By Any Means Necessary.)
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