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Student CEC Spotlight
CEC Today, Vol. 4 No. 5, November/December 1997
To Hug or Not to Hug
By Adam Maroney
With fears of being sued over a sexual assault case, more and more teachers are asking themselves whether or not they should hug or touch a student. Most lawyers will say teachers should not touch a child. However, a special educator realizes the importance of touch and finds such advice hard to follow.
Teachers' fears about touching students is understandable, for the news is filled with the horror of child abuse. Unfortunately, some of the abuse is by educators. So, why would a teacher not be fearful? Is giving a child a hug worth the risk of being sued and losing your career?
On the other hand, hugs are often an effective way to interact with and build rapport with students. Hugs can be used to tell a student "Good job!," to offer sympathy or understanding, or to give encouragement. Hugs can even be used to help offset the violence students are exposed to through the media, and perhaps, in their homes and communities. Given the pluses and minuses, should teachers hug their students or not?
The Touch Test
Once there was a time when everyone could agree that there were "good" and "bad" touches. A pat on the back for a job well done or a consoling hug after a defeat or on a bad day was once considered a "good" touch. This "good" touch, "bad" touch is not so black and white any more. If you give a consoling hug, someone might think you lingered a little too long, hung on a little too tight, or your hands were a little too low.
In Hands Off!! The Touchy Subject of Touching, T. D. Prete offers the touch test when deciding whether a touch or a hug is appropriate or not. The touch test is simply a question you ask yourself, "Would you allow a stranger, teacher, coach, counselor, or anyone with whom you do not have a close personal or familial relationship to do this to you?" Your answer to this, he claims, will tell you whether or not your touch is appropriate. But touching a child is more complicated than that. For example, when deciding whether or not to hug or touch a child, you should also consider the childís desires. Does he or she want to be touched or hugged? Some children who have been abused or who have tactile issues do not want to be touched. In fact, touching or hugging such a child may escalate a situation rather than enhance it.
The Law
To help sort out the situation, laws and ethical codes on the subject are being established. The Pennsylvania State Education Association offers the following guidelines on the use of touch: (1) consider the age, sex, and perception (maturity) of the child, (2) use touch only to praise or comfort, (3) ensure there is another adult present, and (4) briefly touch only the shoulder or arm.
The question of whether or not to hug or touch a child is not an easy one. No matter how good the educatorís intention may be, the danger of a court case always looms. And while the guidelines outlined above are helpful, most teachers will not take the time to think them through in a crises or a spontaneous moment.
To hug or not to hug? The answer is up to each individual teacher and must be answered for each individual child. But, teachers who decide to hug their students should give the matter extensive thought beforehand. They should determine their own boundaries so that when a moment in which a hug would be appropriate occurs, their hug will remain within safe limits.
Adam Maroney is a former Student CEC Vice President of Communications. He is a student at the University of Cincinnati.
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