The author reported how men, and women too, are inhibited from allowing physical contact with children for fear of 'what will people think?' The correct question for childcare workers should be, 'Is this good for the child?' He argues well that children demand physical contact as part of their need for emotional security.
When I worked in a nursery I did not so much offer physical contact to children as respond when a child demanded it - often by sitting on my lap and asking to be read a story (to be joined by another child). I sat in such a way that the child could stay on my lap if they chose but could easily get down and go on to play. Unless they were really upset, they usually only wanted to stay for a few minutes. I am lucky that my colleagues always trusted me and never tried to restrict the children's spontaneous behaviour.
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