No Two-Armed Hugs Lasting More Than Two Seconds

What? Come again? At Shepherd Junior High School, in Mesa, Arizona, there is a new policy against public displays of affection. It seems that principal Eileen Cahoon felt that PAD's (public display of affection) should not be allowed on campus. It seems this policy has been around for many years and is only being reinforced now as the results of an annual student survey, where one-fourth of Shepherd students thought kissing and hugging in the hallways was a major problem.

Principal Cahoon felt that as a result of the survey she needed to take action. She said, "students were allowed to shake hands and it would probably be OK for athletes at sporting events to congratulate each other with a hug. But hugging in the hallways was strictly forbidden."

So what is a "too long hug?" The hugs have to last less than two seconds. What happens to the students who break the rules? The punishment goes from verbal warning to suspension. How are students responding to this new policy? After school on Friday February 29, 2008 about 100 kids gathered chanting, "We want hugs." One student planned to wear a T-shirt that said: "More hugs, less war."

I don't know about you but to me this is funny, but sad. With all the research out about the importance of Emotional Intelligence, and the importance of expressing your feelings in a positive way, this seems to me to be going backwards. It reminds me of when I was in High School in the 1960's and girls could not wear patient leather shoes, because anyone could look at our shoes and the reflection would show up our skirt or dress (girls were not allowed to wear pants).

What are we so afraid of? Don't we have more important things to worry about than whether kids are hugging in the hallways? And does this mean that teachers are going to have to go around with stop watches to time the kids hugs? The principal did say that students could shake hands and stand close to one anther.

During the 1960's we had "sit-ins," maybe students in 2008 will have to have "hug-ins."

Jana Ruth
Author of "Laugh and Live Happier: P.L.A.Y.S. for Life
www.janaruth.biz
www.laughandlivehappier.com
www.onewomanslaughter,blogspot.com