I was talking with some friends today about the way society has changed over the last several years. It used to be that we could hug each other and think nothing of it, but with sexual harassment and child abuse on the rise, we’ve all become very careful in how we treat each other. To some people, hugging is more natural than a handshake, and the hugs are offered as a sincere expression of caring and friendship, but with all the suspicion that abounds, they have to curtail a gesture that otherwise is very natural to them.
For the most part, society doesn’t consider it inappropriate for two women to hug. The main issue is with men hugging women and vice versa. I have some very good male friends that I hug whenever I see them. It’s a showing of friendship, and I’ve never felt at all uncomfortable with that closeness. On the other hand, I have male acquaintances that I would not dream of hugging. I don’t know them that well, I don’t have that level of comfort with them, and it would feel awkward.
I think the most important key is to follow our instincts. If someone moves to hug us and we don’t feel comfortable with that contact, we’re not obligated to hug them. We can offer a hand to shake or step to the side. We don’t have to accept the hug just to avoid public embarrassment. We have a built-in radar in the form of the Holy Ghost and we are completely entitled to listen to that guide and do as it directs. If the person reaching for the hug is paying attention to your body language, they will understand that you don’t want to be hugged and they ought to respect that.
The main thing to keep in mind is that we do need to be careful in just how we hug friends of the opposite gender. We can keep our hugs loose and refrain from snuggling in. We can make sure that the hug is welcome and that we’re not asking someone to allow us into their personal space when they don’t feel comfortable with that.
Our bodies were given to us as gifts from our Heavenly Father. They are tools to be used in His service. As we are careful in all aspects of how we treat our bodies and how we use them, we will draw closer to Heavenly Father and He will continue to guide us in how we can best magnify the gifts we are given. As we keep our bodies sacred, our blessings will overwhelm us with their bounty.
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