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I actually couldn't stand being touched as a child, something i had to learn to first tolerate, then came to enjoy. I do believe that being able to give and receive true authentic affection instills empathy, compassion, love, and nurturing, when made a regular thing and coupled with other positive experiences and associations. And there were also Nazi experiments conducted where babies were not allowed to be touched or held and many of them had health issues and died.
Since "discovering" platonic cuddling, I find myself much more loving in general.
@Sweetstuff: anyone who quotes Bobby Fischer is all right in my book.
@sweetstuff: there is a thread here that asks the question “What has cuddling taught you about yourself?”
I am more sensitive to feelings than I ever was and am anle to express my feelings where I was not able to do that before.
I have two books published by Bobby Fischer plus a book with all his games played when he won the World Championship in 1972 and also reviewed his games from the unofficial rematch in 1992. During that rematch he spent time with the Polgar sisters in Hungary. I met Susan Polgar in New York in 1997 when she was Womens World Champion. I have an autographed book of hers published that year.
@SweetStuff: I can play chess fairly good. I haven't tried cuddling and playing at the same time yet, though. There are some female chess players I'd like to cuddle. Oops. I was thinking out loud there. Sorry.
@SweetStuff I believe I received as much as I tolerated. I didn't like being touched, it was something I first learned to tolerate, then came to enjoy
That's a good question. I wish I knew. What I do know know is that my top love language is physical touch. Ironically, my sister hates being touched. So you would think we were raised differently, but we weren't.
I don't think the big thing is "hugs" necessarily, but human touch is essential to raising a healthy baby. Babies who do not get enough attention do end up naturally producing less oxytocin than babies who do get lots of physical touch. There is a famous study that looked the lives of Romanian orphans who didn't get enough touch. These children ended up much less well-adjusted to society.
Even as adults we could use hugs and touch to make us happier.
@calineur Fairly good or fairly well? I'm teasing.
Chess & Cuddles? It's unconventional and possible. At this point, I'm curious about these female chess players. Lol So, feel free to list them.
My parents were pretty cold and never ever hugged me. And I never saw my father kiss or hug my mother. But I'm one of the most affectionate, touchy-feely people you will ever meet.