Submitted by angelojann t3_10nigaq in books
maulsma t1_j6awwzn wrote
Reply to comment by Drag0nfly_Girl in Dickens' David Copperfield: Were men more affectionate with each other in the 18th century? by angelojann
I went backpacking in Europe in the mid nineties, and I remember seeing lots of Italian men walking along holding hands, with their arms over shoulders and around waists. You don’t see that there as much now. So, I think it’s cultural: times change, people’s attitudes change, acceptable public behaviour changes. Even as recently as 1995 it was acceptable for grown male friends and family to hold hands and embrace in public in some places. I think I’d agree that it’s possibly fear of being labeled “gay” that has caused this to fall away. Kind of unfortunate. Even women aren’t demonstrative in public much in North America. Well, def more public affection in Mexico.
Drag0nfly_Girl t1_j6ayhwh wrote
Yes, I miss the way it used to be. People need (non-sexual) affection & touch, it's so important. Everyone is worse off without it. I personally think the lack of it has a lot to do with the increasing incidence of mental health problems.
CrushedByTime t1_j6cgd1n wrote
This is how men are in India today. Though I guess it will begin to change soon as we ‘westernize.’
maulsma t1_j6fqw08 wrote
I don’t like seeing us drift apart, physically or otherwise, whether because of shame or peer pressure or whatever. People need physical contact. We shouldn’t feel bad about it. We shouldn’t be made to feel bad about it.
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