Joe Biden and "Personal Space"

This media appearance engages the recent “scandal” about Joe Biden’s interactions with women, in which he has been accused of violating their personal spaces with touches or hugs. Others have come forward to note that Biden’s approach is to reduce his own power and reach out to those he feels are most in need of the connection, which often includes a form of therapeutic touch. However, for some the intent does not outweigh the reception or interpretation of the touches as potentially creepy or violating. We need to remember that personal space is a personal decision, but it is also culturally determined. It’s important to make our own feelings clear, it’s important to ask permission when we’re not sure how our touches might be received, and it’s important to remember the power dynamics at play.