Interpersonal touch in guided walking: Socialization to be pedestrians in Japan

Abstract

This paper examines forms of interpersonal touch (e.g., control, protect) in guided walking outdoors with children in (sub)urban outdoor settings. Based on data from naturally occurring interaction in two Japanese preschools, the analysis details the organization of walking activities and the ways interpersonal touch and other resources were used by teachers and children in orienting towards safety and interpersonal concerns. It shows how teachers deploy their hands, arms, and entire bodies as a “shield” in controlling children's actions, displaying affect, and protecting them from harm. It also shows how children orient to interpersonal touch with peers in ways that can align with or vary from teachers' concerns. The concluding section considers what is being socialized through interpersonal touch in guided walking.