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"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 revert to 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." - says Mark Greene in this article...

http://upliftconnect.com/how-lack-touch-destroying-men/

It is not the same in other cultures, for example in Eastern Europe and especially Russia, men hug when they meet, full body hugs, along with kisses on the cheek without anyone doubting their motives. Russians are a very demonstrative people, and public physical contact is common. They also stand stand close when talking. In Italy, Spain, and Portugal men  kiss on each cheek and hug publicly as they do in many South American countries.

Men who are happy within themselves and have no fears do not hesitate to take and give hugs.  Platonic hugs, physical contact that is not sexual, is comforting for people, makes them feel more human, less isolated in our urban jungles.

So when did men hugging become  a sign of sexualization and therefore a taboo?
 
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Even young boys often are not encouraged to touch physically due to adults' fears. Our society is so pre-occupied with sex that everything is seen as a prelude to it, even children touching. American society now has numerous politically correct rules around touching in public stemming from the innate fears of inappropriate public contact between both men, and men and women. Spontaneous hugs are frowned upon and sometimes punished. Parenting manuals advise to not let people touch their children and that message grows into an isolated, frigid society, where automatically people's imagination runs towards perversions, especially since so much of it is discussed on social media and in the never-ending news loops. All touch becomes sexually suspect, especially among men, and especially gay men.

A society of isolated individuals is shaped this way. Yes sometimes you do not want to hug your friend, stranger, grandmother etc, however you do it for their sake, and guess what it helps you too in the end. It improves your emotional and mental health. The elderly particularly are shunned and have to rely on pets for creature comfort, if they are lucky enough to have a pet.

Even a pat on the back makes you feel more human. We were not meant to be robots relating to our iPhones and computers all day, unconnected to life in the world.

As a result of the prohibition of platonic touch men are more aggressive towards women, and often victimize them, and in return women are less prone to allow platonic touch and the vicious cycle continues. Men to be men feel they can not allow themselves to be vulnerable, which is what it takes to hug and connect platonically.

We need to start to be aware of this continually growing problem and start to overcome our fears and phobias because men are not dogs, they are humans, which is part animal and part angel.