We go through life, aware of our and others personal space. Taught to keep our hands to ourselves, and ingrained with an awkward feeling when you accidentally bump into acquaintances or friends. Never wanting to cross a boundary of social norms. Knowing that only people in specific close relation to you are really acceptable to touch or be touched by.
But, at the same time we are aware that human contact is something necessary to existence. Studies show that regular touch can reduce stress and boost our body’s ability to recover. It’s also the best way to develop an emotional bond. It’s something essential to both platonic and romantic affection, bonding between both parent and child and between lovers.
People even get pets just so they can have a living thing that it’s socially acceptable to cuddle with.
With all these needs for touch and emotional connection that we have societally denied ourselves, it becomes more clear why we like romance and passion in our entertainment. It gives us that feeling of touch that we crave, without the worry of rejection. It’s like surrogate touch.
Feel all the intimacy of touch. Madness and Wonder