>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.

This makes me proud that I'm not the only one that noticed this.