I missed out on this when I went to school.
Posted on 06/12/2009 6:27:49 AM PDT by FreeManWhoCan
In their endless campaign and their inherited duty to confound their elders, this latest generation of teenagers has adopted a new weapon:
Hugging.
As detailed by a recent front-page story in The New York Times, teenage hugging has become an epidemic stretching from one coast to the other. Girls are hugging girls. Boys are hugging boys. Boys are hugging girls and vice-versa, which is not really a new development, except that now the inter-gender embraces do not necessarily have ulterior motives.
“For Teenagers, Hello Means ‘How About a Hug?” according to the story’s headline.
“We’re not afraid, we just get in and hug,” a male high school junior is quoted as saying. “The guy friends, we don’t care. You just get right in there and jump in.”
“We like to get cozy,” an eighth-grade girl in San Francisco explains. “The high-five is, like, boring,”
One might think that the practice of kids exchanging hugs, not drugs — or slugs — would be welcomed without reservation and even with open arms by parents and educators. One might be wrong.
• A parenting columnist for the Associated Press admits that she is baffled.
“It’s a wordless custom, from what I’ve observed,” she writes in her book, “13 is the new 18.” “And there doesn’t seem to be any other overt way in which they acknowledge each other. No hi, no smile, no wave, no high-five — just the hug.”
• Experts have been consulted to delve into what this threat of teenage hugging is all about.
“Without question, the boundaries of touch have changed in American culture,” declares a Virginia sociologist. “We display bodies more readily, there are fewer rules governing body touch and a lot more permissible access to other people’s bodies....
(Excerpt) Read more at daytondailynews.com ...
Hugging is the main form of boobal contact for most late middle school/early high school guys. I was a huge fan.
What does that mean?
This sounds like pretty much everyone I know. We have a big convention for our company and everyone is all huggy, even the VPs are passing them out.. it is a Southern thing.. I’m not a hug type person so it is awkward but I understand it.
This is asinine. After numerous personal protection classes, I’ve become comfortable enough to say “No, you are in my space, please back up.”
I hug my family members (male or female) and my very close friends, but I would probably sucker punch someone who tried to hug me instead of offering a firm handshake.
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.
Frankly I’m sick of all the hugging. Even my 50 yo friends do it all the damn time.
Firm handshakes are for secure, self-confident adults.
If you are 16 physically and 6 emotionally, you need a hug.
Or a fist-bump...
Isn’t it yet another case of white kids immitating black culture? Hip-hoppers have been doing the hug for years.
I’m torn, seriously.
The idea of hugging is wonderful, and a display of fellowship and affection. But I can also appreciate the close social contact and loss of boundaries arguement.
I am inclined to err on the side of the hug.
Not seeing any more hugging than normal.
I wouldn't refuse, depending on who offers the hug.;o)
Inflation everywhere.
Here in Miami, when I offer my hand for a handshake, I sometimes get an odd look from people. So much as changed.
THAT is a very good reminder, thank you.
If they try this at work I can see many dead bodies.
Sounds like an excellent way to get teens to do exactly what you don’t want them to do. Are they allowed to touch other students at all?
I missed out on this when I went to school.
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