Wings Educational Resources Blog

Hugs

Posted admin on July 17th, 2008 | Filed under Hugs, Role of a Teacher, Setting an Example, Teacher Influence, wingsed.com

This post is full of more questions than answers. 

It is such a hot topic and has been for a while, what about non-sexual, physical contact with students?

Should teachers be afraid to hug their students for fear of lawsuits or allegations of abuse?  Should the hugs only be done in what is considered a “safe” manner, by making loose fists and while embracing, touch the back or shoulders of the students with the back of the hands, while fisted?  In this way, there can be no allegations of carressing etc.  What does it say about the paranoia of society and eagerness to sue, if we all have to greet and embrace each other in such a manner?  How impersonal can we get?  It is like saying, “Okay, I will hug you, but I’ve got to keep my distance.”  Who needs affirmation more than a child or someone who is beginning to develop self-worth? 

What if the student gets little or no positive physical contact at home and the only positive affirmation he or she gets is at school?  Are hugs okay then?  With all that is going on in the world today and the many things kids experience and endure that they never had to in the past, doesn’t giving a hug to someone to say, “Hey, I care about you”, “You’re a good person” or “Congratulations” seem like the least we can do?  

There are many ways that child learn about caring, by example or by the way they have been treated themselves.  If a chid has never experienced positive physical contact with others, doesn’t that encourage them to act the same way as they grow up… keep your distance… don’t get too close to others…be afraid to show how you feel or that you care…worry about yourself and not how others are feeling…  What kind of members will they make in society?

You may say that I am placing too much emphasis on hugs, but sometimes high fives just don’t suffice.  Doesn’t everyone need a hug and need to know that they are cared about, at least sometimes?!  Haven’t the words to encourage, comfort or congratulate someone ever failed you? Hasn’t a hug ever made your day better or made you feel like you matter?  Isn’t giving someone a hug worth the risk?