Needless hugging?’ What will teens think of next?

Dayton Daily News ^ | June 10, 2009 | D.L. Stewart

[brytlea]

I haven’t noticed that kids are disinclined to touch each other. The opposite appears to be the case. I don’t think that has anything to do with them sitting in their rooms on their computers. There is a lot of personal space invading going on. BTW I am a hugger, but I ALWAYS wait for the other person to make the move. If they prefer a handshake or simply a verbal greeting that’s what they’ll get from me. I’m a respecter of persons.

[stuartcr]

OK

[matt1234]

[Ditter]

No air kisses for the Dutch, they give you the real thing! barf!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

What happened the firm handshake, anyway? It used to be a sign of confidence and a signal to the other person that you either mean business or are a pushover.

I personally dislike the handshake. What with swine flu and cold germs swirling around, not to mention someone's sweaty hand, and you don't know where it's been or what it's touched...

[rarestia]

I personally dislike the handshake. What with swine flu and cold germs swirling around, not to mention someone's sweaty hand, and you don't know where it's been or what it's touched...

Hugging is better?!

[my_pointy_head_is_sharp]

For us non-teenagers, can someone come up with something to replace the handshake?

[Clemenza]

Huggings were very big among girls when I was a lad (the 1980s-early 1990s). I see guys hugging, but they are usually coming out of Pottery Barn.

[Arrowhead1952]

At a convention the other day I saw a sign forbidding "Free Hugs".

They better not come to our church services. Almost everyone hugs each other when they get to church (German LCMS congregation).

[sweet_diane]

"I believe you’re on to something."

I can't take full credit. Our girls went to a Christian elementary and when our oldest was in 2nd grade her teacher really encouraged the sexes playing together... girls playing soccer and boys playing whatever the girls were currently into.

I subsitute teach and the first time I subbed at the elementary school I was on the playground all day. To my surprise, the kindergaten kids all played seperately, for the most part, yet when it came to line up to go back to class many paired up with their 'boyfriend/girlfriend' and held hands! One little boy came to me with 'girlfriend problems' saying "my girlfriend dumped me, what should I do". speechless

[hunter112]

Consider this: What if we had a society where instead of two parents (showing approprate affection that was not labeled 'bad touching') raising kids, we just simply sat them down in front of TV's and computer screens, and discouraged even their honored and respected teachers from being able to give them a pat on the back for encouragement?

What's that, you say we're there already? Well, then, isn't it natural that kids would come up with their own way of getting the physical human contact that a social species needs?

[wintertime]

“13 is the new 18.”

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

It means another reason to homeschool!

[stuartcr]

Isn’t that really just a part of a normal life and growing up?

[sweet_diane]

Which, the kindergarteners with boyfriend problems or the 2nd graders playing together? lol

[stuartcr]

Probably both, kids like to emulate their elders.

[Dr.Deth]

Needless hugging? What will teens think of next?

My prediction: butt sniffing.