To the Editor:
It occurred to me that there might be two overlooked factors leading to the increasing frequency and comfort with hugging among teenagers.
One, regarding hugs among boys, is the ubiquitous images of male athletes embracing one another with gusto every chance they get. Second (and sadly), in the aftermath of 9/11, school shootings and other tragedies that saturate us with such immediacy and repetition through today’s media, there is an increased awareness at a younger age of the fragility of life—of one’s vulnerability and mortality.
The need for hugs in today’s world is very understandable, and it’s good to know that so many young people are not holding back.
Robert Hawk
New York, May 29, 2009
Note from KBJ: Has anyone noticed that there are two kinds of hug? In one, the huggers pat each other on the back as they're hugging. In the other, they rub each other's backs. The second is a real hug, filled with affection. The first is a going-through-the-motions hug in which the huggers want to keep emotional distance between one another (perhaps so as not to appear queer). What do you think?
