the author says it's problematic that boys lose the ability to touch or be touched platonically and that causes us trouble as men.

men can be touched platonically by women and other men w/o regard for their romantic or sexual orientation. it's possible and men all over the world experience it. we're in here talking about it happening in several African cultures, for example. and the men in those places are often virulently homophobic but still okay w/platonic touching among men. but homophobia operates here in our culture to block this platonic touch among men. men don't touch each other very often platonically to avoid being labeled as homosexual. it even happens to me and i'm gay as fuck. i don't touch other men platonically BECAUSE i'm gay and i don't want them to think i'm coming on to them. i don't want to make them or others uncomfortable.

i totally see what the author is saying.