The Need for Human Touch. (...babies deprived of touch can actually die.)
By thetis74
@thetis74 (1525)
July 19, 2011 7:10pm CST
I was going through my stress management book today and come across this very wonderful topic. It says, the more high the technology around us, the greater the need for human touch because high technology has been repeatedly cited as a reason for increased stress. As we move closer to a full technology society, we distance ourselves further and further from the basic elements that used to provide physical, emotional, and spiritual sustenance.
Several health practitioners recognize what they call a "famine of touch". But human touch is as much a necessity as air, food and water.
Clinical reports assert that babies deprived of touch can actually die.
5 responses
@ptower76 (1616)
• United States
20 Jul 11
I totally agree with you that we need human touch now more than ever. I was doing an internship about 5 years ago at a family homeless shelter in the recreation department (glorified baby sitters), and I could not believe just how much these children were starved for human contact. It was so bad that the staff had to actually stop the children from hugging and trying to sit on our laps. The children followed us around and did anything they could to initiate contact. While these children had at least one parent, it was clear that they were not getting the contact at home and were attempting to get it outside their home. Human touch can indeed be just as important as a baby's other biological needs.
1 person likes this
@thetis74 (1525)
•
20 Jul 11
Oh! I am so sad for the children. I have been deprived of that too and have realized that when I experienced it myself. And knowing its necessity, I always make sure I hug and caress my four year old many times times everyday so she will not be like me. And in such a way I am also getting enough touch from her. Thank you so much. It is nice to hear you have a very good heart and knows all about this.
@ptower76 (1616)
• United States
20 Jul 11
Well, i don't know if its a cultural thing with you, but with me, it was a cultural thing that we did not exhibit love openly and therefore minimized physical contact with parents and siblings. But like you, my siblings and I have learned to overcome this unspoken taboo and now openly hug each other and the children whenever we can. Being hugged by our parents give us a sense of being loved that is important for our healthy psychological development. Good for you and God bless.
@toniganzon (72285)
• Philippines
20 Jul 11
This is a very good information and i believe in this. As a child i was very used to being cared too much by my father. He always hugged me and showered me with kisses. AS i was growing older, i always longed to be touched and kissed by my loved ones and i do the same to them.
NOw that i'm a mother i never fail to give that gentle touch to my son even after scolding him for being naughty. I always give him a hug and a kiss anytime of the day. I always remind him to do the same and sometimes he would just surprise me with a hug or a kiss. My son lives in a world where technology is very prevalent and even in our house he sees and uses a lot of these. He has all kinds of electronic games including an ipad. He has his laptop computer and all kinds of game consoles. Despite of that my son still does outdoor activities like playing with other kids, swimming and running around.
We should never neglect to give that gentle touch to our love ones. 
1 person likes this
@gloryacam (5540)
• Philippines
20 Jul 11
That's true. There's a custom in our place of giving gentle massages (with baby oil) to babies that help them grow. I think the touch stimulates their skin or something. I agree, too, that is why massages are so de-stressing for me. Also, we could notice that in times of extreme emotion like grief or joy, it feels so good to just be hugged by someone.
@dream_ozn (1754)
• Singapore
20 Jul 11
This is really shocking! That babies deprived of touch can die??
YEs, with so many high tech machines around us. We have lost lots of human touch. We have given 90% of our touch to machines especially to our laptops and our computer and all these is making the world a colder place to live in.
No matter how these gadgets improve our lives, we must not forget the human touch because this is what gives us warmth
@thatgirl13 (7294)
• South Korea
20 Jul 11
Wow I never knew human touch was that powerful 
. Hmm when I come to think of it, it's been a long time since someone touched me, not even my parents or my family! I actually really hate it when someone touches me these days, hate as in get annoyed!! Anyway thanks for the share.
. Hmm when I come to think of it, it's been a long time since someone touched me, not even my parents or my family! I actually really hate it when someone touches me these days, hate as in get annoyed!! Anyway thanks for the share.