Do men think that it is their natural right to touch a woman's body if they want to?

Question

Why is it that most men think they can touch a woman without asking? I notice that some men will touch me but not touch other women in the same setting? I have asked a guy friend about this and he says it is because some women are more emotionally engaged (like me) and then a man takes this as being more intimate and his idea of intimacy is physical contact. From this explanation, I can not decide if I am okay with this difference in intimacy or if I think it is just a way of a man using a woman's body for a) cheap free feels b) a way of showing dominance and power, especially when touches are not reciprocated) or c) a way of showing interest and intimacy while testing your reaction or comfort level (with maybe sexual thoughts or intent of a physical relationship in the future but not necessarily trying to hit on you). So what do women and men from your own experiences or opinion think about this?

Answer 1

First of all what exactly do you mean by "touch"? Do you mean a guy fondling his hands all over you in an inappropriate manner? or a friendly punch in the arm or a friendly tickle? It obviously depends on how he's touching you that determines the meaning and intent of the touch. It's usually when the man KNOWS the woman he's touching that he does it and it can be for many reasons why he's touching her. If it's his wife or girlfriend then it's probably an intimate thing, if it's just a female friend then he's probably just being friendly. I think any guy is smart enough to know that any random woman stranger he touches is probably gonna result in a slap and a world of trouble.

Answer 2

I can beat that.  I've had complete stranger men come up to me and kiss me on the mouth.  More than one time - in fact it happens so often that it is a joke with my girl friends.  The guys say they just can't help it.  

Maybe you have a very magnetic presence.  People are just drawn to you and want to touch you.  That doesn't make it right, so just say "excuse me" and step back.

I'm not discounting that some men may have any and all of the characteristics that you describe, but some may just be drunk....

Not that that is an excuse....

Answer 3

ive never ever seen a man touch any girl without permission

Answer 4

Woman were made to be touched. Just look how curvy and soft they are. mmm so tasty

Answer 5

It is called "assault" even for someone to merely touch you with a fingertip without your permission.  Ask a cop or attorney.  I got a nice BMW once as a settlement when a guy groped me in front of security cameras.  Some men cannot emotionally control themselves and suffer from male entitlement issues about women as objects.  They need to be re-educated with assault charges and take like a course or something called Remedial Kindergarten:  Keep Your Hands To Yourself.

Answer 6

I agree with the answerer who said, "define touch?"

Just recently I was at a cabin with some coworkers and their signifigant others. There was a young woman there who I had met, briefly at a party by the same hosts who had invited me up to their cabin.

Now, I normally do not touch women, even as just a gentle punch in the arm or anything like that, unless there's a need for it - say, to guide them out of the path of someone or something barreling down the aisle at them that they don't see. And even at that, it's light, it's certainly not groping, it's usually their shoulders or back, above the waist, and once the obstacle is gone, so is my touch. In fact, I go out of my way to not accidentally touch women, even passing in the halls, for fear someone will cry foul on me.

Back to the weekend - during one instance on the boat, this young woman was pulled into me by the rope attached to the innertube we were dragging behind us. She apologized and touched my arm in apology. Inappropriate?

We started to warm up to each other over the course of the 2 days. The last day we were there, she was having trouble opening up a box of plastic wrap. I offered to help, she said, "No, I've got it!" and I touched her shoulder and said, "Ok!" as I walked back to my seat. Inappropriate?

After talking with this young woman, I had decided that, while she was attractive, she would not be a good match for me in a relationship, nor would I be a good match for her. But I'm still going to be friends with her, because there's no reason now not to be.

I think that pats on the butt, hands on the hips, arms around the shoulders or over the backs of the neck, and excessive hugging are guys' ways of 'claiming territory'. All I know is that some guys get away with it all the time. If I were to do that, I would get sent to prison.

But there is a smaller 'class' of touching that is more along the lines of 'testing the waters' or being friendly, even if there is no thought of s*x involved. It really depends on the people and the situation.

And I think that women have the same options and opportunity (not a 'right')  to do that if they want to as well. It's just that guys tend to be more aggressive in this regard, so they're seen doing it more often.

I've had my butt pinched in HS by some freshman / sophomore girl. I still don't know why it was done. I certainly didn't ask for it. It felt a little awkward, and at the same time, made me feel a little special, since it had never happened to me before. But the thought quickly passed.

Answer 7

well, I think as a guy, that does not do that, that it's not a natural right. It is only a right that the woman must give them.  I also believe that intimacy does not need to be physical, but should lean more emotional.  But that's just me.

Answer 8

Only their wives.

Answer 9

Yes they think they have a right and that offends me too. Because this is my body and no one has a right to put their hands on me unless I give them permission.Talk up for yourself.Just tell them don't touch me.If they still try to talk just get really firm and say don't put your godd***ed hands on me!Some of these men out here act like they suffer from touchitis.Talk up for yourself.You can even press charges.I know several women who have done that.

Men who disrespect women in this way are total dogs and aren't worth it.They're losers who can't get a woman so they think by touching all on a woman that she will be interested.

And its sad to say that some of these whoeish girls out here actually allow men to touch on them and this makes me think that all women are easy like this.

Men who feel on women and touch on women are dogs.

Men have no right putting their hands on us touching on us like we're produce in a frickin bin at a grocery store.

Men need to learn how to have respect for women.

Esp. black men.Too many of these young black men suffer from touchitis.They feel like its their right to be patting us black women all on our behinds and touching on us.I have had to cuss a few of them out and slap one.I don't play that.I'm not produce.I'm a human being.Don't put your godd***ed hands on me unless I give permission.

There is this simple move I learned in martial arts where you grab his hand and bend it back.And while you have him in that position tell him you don't play that.

Men who do this also have control issues.

They're just dogs.

Answer 10

I don't think it's always inappropriate for a man to touch a woman.  

What's inappropriate is to ignore someone's request to stop touching them, or to touch people in a more intimate way than the relationship would justify.

Answer 11

If it's my wife, but not someone at random.

Answer 12

You might be giving off "shy and sweet" vibes to these men.  It's weird, but people do sense things about you.

This is what I was told, b/c I've had men think they can just touch my arm or waist..People tell me "You're so quiet and act harmless..that's why men think they can get away with it."

If you're one of those ball-busting "dont f*cking touch me m**o" girls, then men will back off.

You just got to practice being more assertive and watch out for any non-verbal signals you give...Don't stand alone at a bar looking lonely or sad, b/c guys think "Ooooh a single pretty girl needing some loving!"

Answer 13

I usually do that whenever I see a girl that I know (friend or acquaintance)  It makes me feel good so I do it.

Answer 14

No. its not a right, and its not a right for women to do it to men either. each person's body is his or her own, and nobody has the right to touch it.

A very simple answer is: no.