I’m not sure about you all, but for the first time in my life, there’s a president I wouldn’t let anywhere near my kids. That poor girl. pic.twitter.com/qcvM1BIBVd
— Eric Rosswood (@LGBT_Activist) January 12, 2017
http://everydayfeminism.com/2015/06/never-force-child-hug-people/
It Implies That You (Or Adults in General) Have the Right to Touch Your Child How They Want, When They Want
Chilling, no? But it’s pretty simple logic:
Child is told to hug So-And-So.
Child expresses some manner of decline, hesitation, or rejection at the idea of hugging So-And-So.
Child is guilted, shamed, belittled, manipulated, or otherwise made to feel forced to hug So-And-So.
Child hugs So-And-So.
Child feels like shit for being reprimanded over not wanting to hug So-And-So and still ended up having to hug So-And-So.
Child says to self, “It would behoove me in the ongoing future to stop resisting said hugging, seeing as how it doesn’t work and only makes matters worse. Resisting touch equals reprimand. I daresay this is an epiphany of biblical proportions.”
Or something like that. You get the idea.
Adults are the authority figures in a child’s life. This is a necessary, natural state of being because honestly, who else is going to show them the ropes?
But make sure you’re showing them the right ropes.
Having legal possession over a child doesn’t mean they’re your property. It means they’re your responsibility.
By forcing a child to hug, you’re telling them “Yes, I’m in charge here, which means you have to do everything I say.”
Sorry, but no.
You’re in charge here, which means it’s your job to make sure that the kid grows up to be the most functioning adult they’re capable of being.
See the difference?