BREDELLY

That quote came from an ongoing series of conversations between Lionheart, Rodney, and Justin. You might want to search those names.

It appears that the topic is timely, or timeless ? - as it received many hits over the years on the old forum.

Were you not open and casual about touching when you were a child? Young males touch each other, and fall all over each other, a lot in their everyday play.
So, somewhere along the line, did this openness to male touch, get hammered out of you?

Have you traveled overseas? European males seem less uptight than American males about physical closeness. I am not referring to sexual closeness by the way. Also, naturism - social nudity among males and females - is much more common in Europe, and apparently less tainted by the Anglo-Puritan revulsion against the physical, human body.

Have you traveled a step further, outside the western orbit? Male rituals of touching and socializing seem much more "traditional." Generally males are very comfortable in close physical contact with their friends, as well as with new strangers. In fact, one of the first "body language" signs of welcoming to a stranger often involves some sort of gesture which ultimately brings you into their close physical space.

Just my guess, this casual acceptance of physical closeness, probably parallels a casual acceptance of emotional closeness.

There is a newer angle on this subject. Anthropologists say that the modern male evolved from an ancient hunter gatherer. Indeed, some anthropologists claim we may have acquired hunter gatherer and tool making skills millions of years before evolving into the human species. Tools pre-dating the modern man, and large animal bones found at these sites, strongly suggest that pre-human species communicated and co-operated extremely well together.

Recent neurology studies have shown that the male brain navigates quite differently than the female. Females employ a part of the brain - prefrontal cortex - that focuses in on "local" details. Turn left at the fire house. right at the Oak tree. Ancient females foraged in a local area.

Males employ a different part of the brain - the left hippocampus - and navigate by using landmark and geometric cues enabling them to navigate unmarked deserts and unchartered territory.

So we are hardwired by millions of years of genetic history to navigate unchartered territory. Think about that.

Do you really suppose that small groups of hunter gatherers set out into uncharted territory, to hunt large/or dangerous animals - which alone not one hunter would want to take on -- and remain physically as well as emotionally aloof from each other throughout their long journey?

What stories did they share at night - around the fire? What strategies did they re-work? What humor did they employ to express the risk taking? What humor did they employ to express the surprises of the hunt?
During the day, if you strayed far from the hunting party you might not make it back alone.

Suppose you did not co-operate in the planning and execution, suppose you did not share the risk and rewards, and suppose you did not support your fellow gatherers emotionally. Might you eventually get left behind -- or be outcast?

Look at the profound scientific evidence. Contrary to so much male bashing in the public media, I believe every male carries within a powerful genetic history aimed at strategic cooperation, communication, tool building and tool sharing. And skilled males are expected to train the young males in all of these learned skills.

In todays world, I think this genetic expression shows up in various types of partnerships, ranging from the mega-business entities such as Bill Gates and his middle school buddy founded [ and notice that they chose to stay at the edge of the uncharted territory long after material success was gained ], right down to the partnerships found in the local basketball or wrestling teams. [ Which often is the edge of the unchartered territory for a young, growing male. ]
If, as you say, males in American society can only touch on the football field- I say don't bash it. I believe male love of sports is an integral derivative of a much broader and much richer genetic heritage.

I also agree with you. American males should not be channeled by a repressive, Anglo-puritan culture into choosing from among just a narrow handful of culturally acceptable behaviors - cultural behavior that strip males from finding emotional contact and meaning.

Cultural repression must be taken seriously. Yes, American males now pay a steep price in personal, emotional damage.

But if repression becomes even more extreme, we will all pay a much more horrible price.

Consider the extremely narrow choices which even more heavily repressed cultures give their males. Cultures where men are only allowed narrowly limited emotional relationships with men or women. These extremely repressive cultures produce globally enraged males. Males willing - and wanting - to lash out against any man, woman or child to make their point, and to horrify others.

Is it easier to take the life of an innocent female bystander if your emotional relationships with all women is barren of meaning? Lacking in rich emotional relationships?
Emotionally repressed jihadists readily lash out brother against brother, clan against clan, neighbor against neighbor, country against country, religion against religion, across the globe, and across a multitude of cultures and ethnic groups.

Repression works in degrees - along a spectrum of behavior. A little repression can make you sick. A lot of repression can turn you evil.

Considering the horrific societal consequences of all forms of emotional repression, I believe American males need to resist the many, and insidious cultural attempts to repress their emotional needs.

I believe American males need to re-claim and express so much more of their deep, vast and adventurous genetic heritage.
A heritage that is profoundly richer in physical, emotional, as well as intellectual expression.

KSMO may help to point the way. We know that KSMO awakens a specific, orgasmic genetic expression. I wonder if KSMO also awakens some other forms of genetic expression ? ...

Our long journey begins with the first step.

Take care,

Redneck