Simple Show of Hands" Questions:

1) Who do you hold hands with? Who is it "okay" to hold hands with? What kind of intimacy does it express?

2) In a larger sense, what are the rules of touching in your world? Who can touch who and in what way? Who definitely can NOT touch who? What about kissing? Who is it okay to kiss (or be kissed by and in what way?

3) The article argues that, in some ways, holding hands (especially in public) is a greater sign of commitment for young people than sexual contact. Do you agree? Why might this be the case?

4) How have courtship rituals (dating, etc.) changed in the last 20 years? Do young people still date, go steady? How do people meet potential mates?

5) Someone in the article says: "I see more people on their cell phone than holding hands." "We've traded real face-to-face relationships, where there's touch and body language, for electronic [virtual] ones." Is this true for you; do you text or message friends or other significant others rather than spending face to face time with them? Has this reduced intimacy, or merely transformed it?

6) The article also suggests that non-sexual touching has declined. Do you think this is true? If so, why might be the causes of this? (Technology, less free, unstructured time?) Is human intimacy thus reduced?

TYPE UP ANSWERS TO THESE QUESTIONS AND BRING HARD COPY TO CLASS NEXT WEEK, 11/17 OR 11/18. BE PREPARED TO DISCUSS YOUR ANSWERS.