Schools Ban Hugging and High-Fives ("No Contact" Policies)

[michiruwater]

Red rover was banned at my school when I was in high school (though we'd stopped playing it years before, of course). Too many broken arms. I can't really blame them for that one, though I did love playing it as a kid.

And I, for one, always hugged all my friends throughout school. I still do, every time I see them.

[Prancer]

It is my view of how I see it. There is nothing wrong with that either. People just didn't behave that way when I grew up so being part of the older generation maybe I just don't get it. Everyone is different and can have different opinions on the topic. However maybe I was also trying to explain a reason why a school takes this sort of action.

I understand all that; what I was asking you is why you think a school would consider kids hugging each other to be such a problem that a school would need to regulate them doing so?

[Aussie Willy]

I understand all that; what I was asking you is why you think a school would consider kids hugging each other to be such a problem that a school would need to regulate them doing so?

You did say "What is wrong with that". So I wasn't sure if you were questioning my personal opinion because the part you highlighted was my personal opinion. So I wasn't sure what your question was directed towards.

[PrincessLeppard]

So no dodge ball, red rover, or square dancing in elementary school? !

Dodge ball should be banned. I've consoled too many kids after a particularly vicious games. And I teach high school.

[my little pony]

dodgeball is so awesome

[PrincessLeppard]

dodgeball is so awesome

When I play? Yes.

[agalisgv]

Maybe it's changed over the years, but I thought dodge ball didn't involve any touching--just massive ball throwing at peeps.

I rocked at dodge ball FWIW

[my little pony]

maybe the three of us could start a league

[Prancer]

You did say "What is wrong with that". So I wasn't sure if you were questioning my personal opinion because the part you highlighted was my personal opinion. So I wasn't sure what your question was directed towards.

Okay. Now that we are clear....why is hugging such a problem that schools would need to ban it?

[agalisgv]

maybe the three of us could start a league

Apparently they're talking about constitutional bans against our beloved sport

Peon meddlers

[berthesghost]

Maybe it's changed over the years, but I thought dodge ball didn't involve any touching--just massive ball throwing at peeps.

I rocked at dodge ball FWIW

Compared to other sports/games dodge ball had higher injury stats and higher instances of bullying/humiliation.

[PrincessLeppard]

Compared to other sports/games dodge ball had higher injury stats and higher instances of bullying/humiliation.

Where I teach, this is the case. The bullies deliberately aim at the face, especially at kids with glasses. The PE teachers seem to think this " builds character. " oh, and they use volleyballs.

[agalisgv]

Um, isn't dodge ball, like, tremendously uncool by high school?

[michiruwater]

Oh hell no. Every single semester both fraternities I was in would use dodgeball as a part of pledge week.

I mean, admittedly, they were both band geek/music geek fraternities, but we had to fight all the 'real' fraternities to get into the gym to do it, so I'm thinking this is fairly typical.

Dodgeball is never uncool. It's people whipping large balls at people trying to hit them as hard as they can. It's the opposite of uncool.

[agalisgv]

We used the big red rubber balls . And any hitting above the waist automatically threw you out of the game for the rest of the day.

:sigh:

One of my fav games . But not in high school--I was too cool for that then

[made_in_canada]

maybe the three of us could start a league

We have a very popular adult dodgeball league here. It's crazy successful.

[Southpaw]

maybe the three of us could start a league

Four.

[skateboy]

I hug just about everyone I know. Of course, I tend to kiss them, too. And sometimes do other things...

Wait, what were we talking about?

[LilJen]

NO TOUCHING!!

[professordeb]

I can sorta understand about some of the no-touching but at times it has seemed to go overboard. For instance, a child of 4 is at school and needs to go to the bathroom. Off they go with a teacher/aid walking them down to the bathroom. Said child does what they need but is having a difficult time doing up their clothing. Normally I would offer to help as would most ordinary people. However, the rule at my children's school -- no touching of a child by an adult so said child went around with their jeans not done up until one of their slightly older classmates helped. Reason that adult can't help -- it might be misconstrued as a touch for sexual purposes. And if you're a child don't even bother with trying to give your teacher a hug or receive one. Sheesh.