Editing Holding hands (section)

==Cultural aspects==
[[File:50 Years of Togetherness.jpg|thumb|A couple holds hands on their fiftieth anniversary]]
[[File:Bush-abdullah1.jpg|thumb|right|[[George W. Bush]] and [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia|future King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]] holding hands]]

In [[Western culture]], spouses and romantic couples often hold hands as a sign of affection or to express psychological closeness. Non-romantic friends may also hold hands, although acceptance of this varies by [[culture]] and [[gender role]]. Parents or guardians may hold the hands of small children to exercise guidance or authority. In terms of romance, handholding is often used in the early stages of dating or courtship to express romantic interest in a partner. Handholding is also common in advanced stages of a romantic relationship where it may be used to signify or seek solace and reassurance.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Hardy |first1=Kenneth R. |date=1964 |title=An appetitional theory of sexual motivation |url=https://content.apa.org/record/1964-05180-001 |journal=Psychological Review |volume=71 |issue=1 |pages=1–18 |doi=10.1037/h0047158 |pmid=14105716 |via=APA PsycNet|url-access=subscription }}</ref>

Same-sex couples may avoid holding hands in public due to [[homophobia]]. In 2012, an average of 74% of gay men and 51% of lesbian women responded to an EU [[Fundamental Rights Agency]] survey saying they avoid holding hands in public for fear of harassment or assault.<ref name=fraSurvey>{{cite web|title=EU LGBT survey - European Union lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender survey - Main results|url=http://fra.europa.eu/sites/default/files/fra-eu-lgbt-survey-main-results_tk3113640enc_1.pdf|publisher=Fundamental Rights Agency|access-date=31 October 2014|page=87|date=October 2014}}</ref> These responses varied from 45% to 89% depending on country, with an average of 66%.<ref name=fraSurvey />

In [[Arab countries]], [[North Africa]], some parts of Asia and traditionally in some [[Mediterranean]] and [[Southern European]] cultures (especially in [[Sicily]]), males also hold hands for [[friendship]] and as a sign of respect;<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff Reporter |date=3 Dec 2014 |title=Hold hands in friendship – and be proud to be an African |url=https://mg.co.za/article/2014-12-03-hold-hands-in-friendship-and-be-proud-to-be-an-african/ |access-date=27 Feb 2022 |website=The Mail & Guardian |language=en-ZA}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last1=Anderson |first1=Eric |last2=Magrath |first2=Rory |last3=Bullingham|first3=Rachael|title=Out in Sport: The experiences of openly gay and lesbian athletes in competitive sport|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=pX2PCwAAQBAJ|year=2016|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-317-29542-6|page=[https://books.google.com/books?id=pX2PCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA42&dq=%22homosocial+tactility+in+homophobic+cultures%22+%22men+hold+hands%22 42]}}</ref> a custom which is especially noticed by societies unused to it, for instance when, in 2005, Crown Prince [[Abdullah of Saudi Arabia]] held hands with the United States President [[George W. Bush]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Holguin |first=Jaime |date=April 27, 2005 |title=Abdullah-Bush Stroll Strikes Nerve |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abdullah-bush-stroll-strikes-nerve/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112013527/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/abdullah-bush-stroll-strikes-nerve/ |archive-date=12 November 2020 |access-date=February 27, 2022 |publisher=[[CBS News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fattah |first=Hassan M. |date=May 1, 2005 |title=The Basics; Why Arab Men Hold Hands |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/weekinreview/the-basics-why-arab-men-hold-hands.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628022101/https://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/01/weekinreview/the-basics-why-arab-men-hold-hands.html |archive-date=28 June 2023 |access-date=June 16, 2024 |publisher=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref>