I did an editorial project on hugs for my elements of photojournalism class. I have included all of the pics I printed plus a few more. I have also included the text. Enjoy. C:
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Humans, Hugging, and Public Displays of Affection
Humans, Hugging, and Public Displays of Affection
Humans are born with an inherent need for physical affection. As people age they are socialized to behave in certain manners, thus reducing their displays of, and plays for, this sort of physical touch, at least in public forums. All public actions are viewed through the lens of culture. Actions that may be appropriate between a parent and child are looked upon differently when applied to people of different relations. The same goes for interactions between people of varying genders. Public displays of affection, or PDA, are judged based on the age, gender, and perceived relationships of the participants.
Newborn humans need not only life essentials like food and water, but also physical interaction and touch. Before people are socialized in greater culture, small children are socialized within the family unit. Most times, the family unit teaches that hugs and other comforting gestures are appropriate, necessary, and comfortable. As children experience more of the world, they slowly learn that these gestures that are acceptable within the home are not always received the same way outside.
Certain types of PDA are socially acceptable while other kinds can be looked down upon. In general, cross-generational displays of affection in the realm of parent and child interactions are accepted, while interactions of this type outside of the family unit are often viewed skeptically. PDA becomes increasingly more subject to criticism when the people involved are past or at the age of puberty and the interaction can be interpreted as romantic. As children grow into teenagers and young adults, girls are more likely than boys to engage in platonic PDA, except for the possible exception of sports teams and other activities where physical touch is part of “male bonding.”
Depending on the people involved, hugs, and other similar gestures, can be used to provide or seek comfort, register a greeting, assure the other party of affection, or a combination of these feelings. Some people hesitant of PDA may make exceptions for extreme cases of distress, but will shy away from PDA for the sake of PDA as this means that they are displaying to the world that they actually like the other parties involved.
