Hug

Hug
Elisabeth Louise Vigée-Lebrun, Madame Vigée-Lebrun et sa fille, by Louise Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, 1789
Glassy embrace
A hug can be a sign of joy or happiness

A hug is a form of physical intimacy, that usually involves closing or holding the arms around the neck, back, or waist of another person; if more than two persons are involved, this is referred to as a group hug. A hug, sometimes in association with a kiss, eye contact or other gestures, is a form of nonverbal communication. Depending on culture, context and relationship, a hug can indicate familiarity, love, affection or friendship.[1] One person may hug another as an indication of support, comfort, and consolation. A hug can be a demonstration of affection and emotional warmth, sometimes arising out of joy or happiness at meeting someone. Sometimes hugs are a romantic exchange.

Unlike some other forms of physical intimacy, when both parties mutually engage in the act, a hug can be practiced publicly and privately without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also across age and gender lines,[citation needed] but is generally an indication that people are familiar with each other. An unexpected hug can be regarded as an invasion of a person's personal space, but if it is reciprocated it is an indication that it is welcome. Also, a person, especially a child, may caress and hug a doll or stuffed animal. Young children will also hug their parents when they feel threatened by an unfamiliar person.

Unlike a kiss, a hug is not usually undertaken as part of a ritual or social act. However, it is a custom in Spain and, by proxy, in Latin American countries for male friends to hug (as well as slap each other on the back) in a joyous greeting, such as on a New Year. A similar hug, usually accompanied with a kiss on the cheek, is also becoming a custom among Western women to convey a joyous greeting and sorrowful parting. Also, in recent years it has become a practice amongst some teenage girls to greet and farewell each other with a hug. In May 2009, the New York Times reported that "the hug has become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days" in the United States.[2] A number of schools in the United States have issued bans on hugs, which in some cases have resulted in student-led protests against these bans.[3][4] In the Roman Catholic rite of the Holy Mass a hug may be substituted for a kiss or handshake during the kiss of peace ritual. Several cultures do not embrace as a sign of affection or love, such as the Himba in Namibia.

Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure.[5]

Hugging in non-humans

Patricia McConnell notes that dogs tend to enjoy being hugged less than humans and other primates do, since canines interpret putting a limb over another animal as a sign of dominance.[6]

Hugging is not particular to human beings, as there are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ Kathleen Keating (1994). The Hug Therapy Book. Hazelden PES. ISBN 1568380941. 
  2. ^ Kershaw, Sarah (2009-05-27). "For Teenagers, Hello Means 'How About a Hug?'". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/style/28hugs.html?_r=1&em. Retrieved 2009-05-29. [dead link]
  3. ^ Grant, Denise (2010-04-15). "Students pan hugging ban". http://www.thecourier.com/Issues/2010/Apr/15/ar_news_041510_story1.asp?d=041510_story1,2010,Apr,15&c=n. 
  4. ^ "School Bans Hugs Over 2 Seconds". 2008-03-02. http://www.kpho.com/news/15456156/detail.html. 
  5. ^ "How hugs can aid women's hearts". BBC News. August 8, 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/4131508.stm. Retrieved 2008-11-28. 
  6. ^ Patricia McConnell (June 4, 2002), The Other End of the Leash (1st ed.), Ballantine Books, ISBN 978-0345446794 

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  • Hug — ist ein deutschsprachiger Familienname. Herkunft und Verbreitung Der Familienname Hug ist die nicht diphthongierte Form des Namens Haug. Diesem Lautmerkmal gemäß ist der Name hauptsächlich im Hochalemannischen, besonders in der Deutschschweiz,… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Hug —     Johann Leonhard Hug     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► Johann Leonhard Hug     A German Catholic exegete, b. at Constance, 1 June, 1765; d. at Freiburg im Br., 11 March, 1846. After finishing his studies at the gymnasium of his native town he went …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Hug — Hug, v. t. 1. To press closely within the arms; to clasp to the bosom; to embrace. And huggen me in his arms. Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. To hold fast; to cling to; to cherish. [1913 Webster] We hug deformities if they bear our names. Glanvill. [1913 …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • hug — hug; hug·ga·ble; hug·ger; hug·gle; hug·ging·ly; …   English syllables

  • hug — [n] embrace affection, bear hug*, bunny hug*, caress, clasp, clinch, lock, squeeze, tight grip; concepts 190,375 Ant. push, release hug [v] hold close, cling to bear hug, be near to, cherish, clasp, clinch, cradle, cuddle, embrace, enbosom,… …   New thesaurus

  • hug — [hug] vt. hugged, hugging [prob. via dial. < ON hugga, to comfort, console] 1. to put the arms around and hold closely; esp., to embrace tightly and affectionately 2. to squeeze tightly between the forelegs, as a bear does 3. to cling to or… …   English World dictionary

  • Hug — Hug, v. i. [imp. & p. p. {Hugged}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Hugging}.] [Prob. of Scand. origin; cf. Dan. sidde paa huk to squat, Sw. huka sig to squat, Icel. h?ka. Cf. {Huckster}.] 1. To cower; to crouch; to curl up. [Obs.] Palsgrave. [1913 Webster] 2.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hug — Hug, n. A close embrace or clasping with the arms, as in affection or in wrestling. Fuller. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Hug — Hug, Johann Leonhard, gelehrter katholischer Theolog, geb. 1. Juni 1765 in Constanz; wurde 1780 zum Priester geweiht u. 1791 Professor der Theologie in Freiburg, badischer Geheimrath u. Domherr daselbst, wo er den 11. März 1846 starb. Er schr.:… …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • Hüg. — Hüg., bei naturwissenschaftl. Namen Abkürzung für K. Al. Auf. v. Hügel (s. d. 2) …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Hug — Hug, 1) Johann Leonhard, namhafter kath. Theolog, geb. 1765 in Konstanz, wurde 1789 Priester, 1791 Professor der Theologie in Freiburg, gest. daselbst 11. März 1846. Unter seinen Schriften hat bleibenden Wert seine »Einleitung in die Schriften… …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

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