I came across this new phenonmenon and found it quite interesting... Cuddle Parties: a place where adults can come together and explore affectionate touch and communication without it become sexualized. See www.cuddleparty.com
Sound wierd? Here's the website's response: "While coming together for an event such as this might seem a little odd, our need for contact, touch, and affection is proven. Affectionate touch is necessary for healthy immune systems, good mental health, and the development of our brains and nervous systems. It can reduce stress levels and help sick or injured people to heal. Touch is a means of communication with the people around us. Practicing welcomed, affectionate touch without sexualizing it can improve relationships of all kinds."
"This is the real weirdness: past the age of twelve or so, we're supposed to curtail our physical contact with other adults. As adults we STILL NEED TO BE HELD! Held, hugged, touched, stroked, caressed, piled atop on, reclined across, nuzzled, and affectionately massaged. Cuddle Parties are a place to begin exploring and reclaiming the sense of affectionate touch and play we naturally displayed and enjoyed as children, and that we need to be happy, healthy adults."
This is a true point, although I find cuddling with a bunch of strangers to be wierd and uncomfortable. But I could see a Mormon single party spin-off of this... where you could actually cuddle with people you know or would like to get to know :) I do agree with the need for affection in a good healthy way and I'm glad some people are turning to this rather than promiscuous-ness. But I have a hard time wrapping my mind around cuddling with strangers... it's just too intimate.
The site goes on to answer all the frequently asked questions surrounding cuddle parties. Some interesting terms:
FTCs: First Time Cuddlers
Puppy Pile: When a bunch of people crawl atop one another and cozy up, like puppies do just before they fall asleep
Cuddle Lifeguards: a select group of amazing individuals who are specially trained and certified in how to facilitate Cuddle Parties
Cuddle Caddies: Cuddle Caddies assist the Cuddle Lifeguards.They too are trained, but their training isn't as intense or long as the certification to become a Cuddle Lifeguard. Think of Cuddle Caddies as the flannel sidekicks of the Cuddle Party Dynamic Duo.
Spoon Press: See picture above
Very strange, very strange indeed.
