I will admit that this article is a few days old and the scandal that inspired it is even older in terms of current events but it's still a very good article on cuddling, human touch and the changing times. I am a half century this year, my parents served and supported World War 2, my grandfather served in WW1. My family touched, they communicated taking time to both listen and think before taking action. My children are in their 20's now but were touched and cuddled very regularly. We primitive camped and spent much of our summers out in the middle of a wilderness somewhere without connectivity, spending time in the same tent, talking, and being close enough to touch. Among their peers touch seems to be disappearing, my daughter with preschoolers often mentions to me that the other side of the family doesn't take the time for face to face time with my grandsons. In fact she often admits that she gives the boys tech products more often than she'd like. Like the article alludes to, I see many families out and about giving toddlers something with a screen to tune in to for the distraction factor.
I don't think Joe Biden means anything with his touch or his habit of supposed hair sniffing. He was a young man during the early 70's, everyone touched everyone. He's 6 feet tall and a diplomat, so being taller than many makes a chin over head a normal thing, unusual but not meant to convey anything sinister. Diplomat's always escort or offer an arm or a hand to guide or give deference. He's 76, he grew up with touch being a common thing. It really is sad to see how we as a society are losing that very vital needed acceptance of touch. But with each generation the touch averse are becoming more vocal and influencing touch parameters in a negative way. Plus there are a couple good links to other touch-is-vital reads in there.
https://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2019/04/on-touch/586588/
It is sad to think that men in a care center environment get less touch then the women but I believe it's probably true. I hope everyone knew they were being exposed to that cold virus. But more importantly, the initiation of touch or cuddling is becoming the sole responsibility of women seems to be an unnecessary burden for already outnumbered women. How does a man hope to get any touch at all with the changing views of touch in today's society?