Hugging, now a crime

For some, hugging constitutes an offense.

All touching -- not only fighting or inappropriate touching -- is against the
rules at Kilmer Middle School in Vienna. Hand-holding, handshakes and high-fives? Banned. The rule has been conveyed to students this way: "NO PHYSICAL CONTACT!!!!!"

I'm not advocating teenagers be making out in a hall at school, but a little high-fiving or hugging among friends isn't going to hurt anyone. I can't think of anything more absurd. What if a child's only affection comes from their interaction with friends at school? I remember my days huddling in a hall way with girlfriends, giggling, hugging, linking arms, you name it. I think I'm more expressive because of it, more comfortable among peers, even strangers.

"You get into shades of gray," Hernandez said. "The kids say, 'If he can
high-five, then I can do this.' "

She has seen a poke escalate into a fight and a handshake that is a gang sign. Some students -- and these are friends -- play "bloody knuckles," which involves slamming their knuckles together as hard as they can. Counselors have heard from girls who are uncomfortable hugging boys but embarrassed to tell anyone. And in a culturally diverse school, officials say, families might have different views of what is appropriate.

It isn't as if hug police patrol the Kilmer hallways, Hernandez said. Usually an askance look from a teacher or a reminder to move along is enough to stop girls who are holding hands and giggling in a huddle or a boy who pats a buddy on the back.
Students won't get busted if they high-five in class after answering a difficult math problem.

Thoughts: Girls, assert yourselves if you don't want to be touched. Let 'em have it. Boys, show a little maturity and save the wrestling for the gym mat.

Culturally diverse schools? So what, if a white kid hugs a black kid, or a Latino high-fives an Asian, we've got to break it up because their parents might have differing views on the level of appropriateness? That's a great manifestation of mutual respect, understanding of cultural diversity and the blending of our melting pot.

Let kids be kids, sheesh!