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 ...
It sounds to me like author Mark Greene is a poofter. What a load of drivel.
While we’re at it, why not more tight Italian suits, Italian man purses, and skinny Italian dress shoes?
Oh, and our young men might as well just give up thoughts of moving out from their mom’s house, essentially, ever, too, I’d imagine.
Ha! I forgot all about the Pajama Boy...
And until we get rid of the other 55 mental disorders, we can never hope to condition our boys to be gentlemen towards girls.
this sounds like a recruitment commercial for the local homosexual bar
but anyways,
it is accurate to observe just how little real friendship there is in so much of American society, culture
you see it in interpersonal conversations, on the highways, in many offices or factory settings, in the deterioration of even minimal civility in our institutions of governance, in the decay of our public square, in the falling apart of so many churches, synagogues, and civic organizations, etc.
less and less civility, meaningful discourse, friendship or even friendliness...in so much of America nowadays
not a completely negative picture, and there are many small towns (especially in ‘fly over country’) where the D-party’s “deplorables”) still maintain a civil society
but overall, there’s been a terrible decay
so maybe the article is reflecting a bit of this
“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?”
Sicko. No crossed swords..
He’s choosing his conclusion and working back.
Inane.
Dear Mark:
The “gentle platonic touch” didn’t clear the bunkers and blockhouses on the bluffs overlooking Omaha Beach; nor did a “gentle platonic touch” plant a flag on Iwo Jima or clear the caves on Peleliu.
Tough, Depression-hardened street kids from all over America did. And when it was finished, the majority that came home settled into their post-war lives, worked at their jobs, raised and loved their families, remembered their buddies who weren’t so fortunate, and cherished their lives.
Because THAT’S what a Man does.
I once witnessed a man be horribly humiliated by a supervisor in front of others. Later we were talking and I wanted so much to give him a hug and show support, and I thought he could have used that. But the inhibitions of the workplace just messed it up. I’ve always thought that was sad and regretted not going with my instincts.
This is actually just a public service announcement attempting to placate the anxieties of people subject to TSA pat downs.
Working front too.
What a twit. I hate being touched by anyone who is not immediate family.
And yes, the sex drive of any youngish healthy male makes any attempt at a platonic relationship with a youngish female... difficult. It is supposed to. I have had women who were just friends, but there was absolutely no touching or spending time alone together.
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