Touching: The Human Significance of the Skin

It was 1976 when I first discovered this book. I read it through cover to cover nodding my head as he affirmed what I had sensed in my young life: touch is essential to healthy human development. Though the cover and title look corny now, thirty years later, the content for anyone interested in the human response to touch, is historic. It is telling and tragic that our scientists had to use research on baby monkeys to document the primate suffering and distorted growth with lack of touch. We as a culture have tried to leave our mammalian and primate origins behind us, but as long as we live in our bodies, we will share the vital need for touch to fully develop and feel whole as human beings. If you're already familiar with general information on the human response to touch and you're interested it taking it to the edge of what we know at the beginning of this 21st century, take a look at Job's Body: A Handbook for Bodywork (Third Edition). Job's Body takes the understanding of touch to a cellular level! I would highly recommend it as a background reader for anyone considering becoming a massage therapist, and definitely anyone interested in human development and psychology.

This book is positvely a must read for anyone interested in Human Behavioral Sciences and Psychology in general. I am only 20 years old but have been interested in the science behind human interaction for many years. I continue to read many books, but this is probably one of my favorites. The book is a great read, and covers in depth more about the actual physical interaction from birth till death than any other books I've read...I strongly suggest it.

This highly readable work does a wonderful job explaining the significance of touch in the physical and emotional life of humans. A better understanding of touch can alter the way we interact and is especially important to health care workers.

Ashley Montague is really on target about the needs of the human body in regard to touch.Infants who bond with their parents the first few years of life are so much more secure. He has written such valuable information which is more relevant today than ever. We could have less violent children and adults if proper touch and bonding occurred as infants. Read this book and practice it as a means of creating peace in the world. Spread the word to hospitals to teach new parents about the importance of touch for their infants. Read and recommend this book to all of your friends.

If you only get one book on parenting and how to raise a child get this one. This is a thick book with lots of research to support the ideas presented by Dr. Montague. However scholastic this book might be it is very readable. If you find the title misleading some chapter headings are breastfeeding, tender loving care, the physiological effects of touching, skin and sex and growth and development. The skin and sex chapter discusses how touching our children affects their sexuality. This is one amazing book full of data that instructs us to hold our children close as long as possible and why this is so critical to their development in every aspect. Read it!!!