First of all, the hyperbolic title, "How Homophobia Has Robbed ALL Men of Touch" chips away at the credibility of it from the start.

Second, there is no data to suggest the specific TYPES of touch required to prevent the isolation that is spoken of.

Third, the article provides no statistics regarding current percentages of the different types of male touch considered acceptable by other men. No data regarding how those men were raised (i.e. the level of affection), or how men are currently raising their own sons.

The supported suggestion is that GENERAL lack of touch leads to the isolation result. I don't believe anyone here has disputed that GENERAL conclusion.

What has happened here is that you have men saying we don't lack touch of other men, we just choose not to touch ANY platonic friends (male or female) like THAT.

There is no study to suggest that hugging male friends, holding hands in prayer with male friends, etc. etc. is somehow insufficient, however somehow we are being challenged to show that we're comfortable doing what is being displayed in the photos, otherwise what we're saying isn't valid.

There is no data to suggest that male isolation is a direct result of not demonstrating the "platonic touch" displayed in those photos.

None.

That is what is being challenged here. Not the entire premise of male isolation.