The "Rules" of Touch.
As we grow, touch moves from instinct and natural to have an affect base. Touch starts to carry the "weight" of emotions and manners. Social etiquette steps in. We learn the rules of touch by watching our others.' We watch family members interact with touch. We're also told when it is safe to touch and when not. Judgment is passed on touch. To touch fades from our everyday life when we start to walk and get independent.
As a mobile child, we are soon taught that we have good touches and bad touches. We're not to let any one we don't know touch us. Before most of us learn that, our DNA driven moves us toward anyone with open arms. We're ready for embraces and kisses. Then that behavior is taught out of us. To touch has rules. Touch moves from parents to friends as we grow, thru wrestling and fighting, arm and hand holding, as we make touch part of our play.
As a teenager, touch becomes sexual. Few teenagers receive more than compulsory hugs from their parents. Other touches are limited to hand shakes, until a teenager encounters dating, where touching rules' change again.
As an adult, touch only comes from strangers with hugs and hand shakes, or thru intimate relations. Once we've a family, touch fills our life again thru our children. Then our children start to learn that touch has rules. Til grandchildren enter the stage, most touch will come from one person, our partner, or few people, until we die.