Holding hands

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.

Stock photo of a couple holding hands

Mexican teenagers holding hands during modern dance.

Cultural aspects

A couple holds hands on their fiftieth anniversary

George W. Bush and future King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia holding hands

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][6]

Physical and psychological aspects

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.^[7]

See also

• Public display of affection
• Human chain

References

1. 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.
2. "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.
3. Staff Reporter (3 December 2014). "Hold hands in friendship – and be proud to be an African". The Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
4. 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.
5. Holguin, Jaime (27 April 2005). "Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve". CBS News. Archived from the original on 12 November 2020. Retrieved 27 February 2022.
6. Fattah, Hassan M. (1 May 2005). "The Basics; Why Arab Men Hold Hands". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 28 June 2023. Retrieved 16 June 2024.
7. Dignity Health (31 May 2016). "The Science Behind The Profound Power Of Holding Hands". Huffington Post. Retrieved 16 April 2018.

External links

• Media related to Holding hands at Wikimedia Commons