Middle School Student Suspended For Friendly Hug

Here’s another example of adults being way too protective of children.

A middle school student at Southwest Middle School in Florida was suspended after the principal caught him giving a friendly hug to a female friend in the hallway. The school has a strict “no-hug” policy outlined in the student handbook. Christine Davis, district spokeswoman, said that the rules of the school must be followed (which I have no problem with) and also made the suggestion that students were not “mature” enough for public displays of affection:

“Just as academics range for students between 11 and 16, maturity levels range,” she said. “The school must be protective of the students … that’s why they’ve putout in writing and on their website, clearly, the consequences for public displays of affection.”

The student’s parent was “livid” when she heard about the reason her son was suspended, and rightfully so. There was nothing wrong with the hug; the kid didn’t touch her inappropriately, she didn’t report in, it was mutual and completely harmless. If a school wants to have a “no-hugs” policy, that’s their choice.

But to suspend a kid for a hug, and then to claim that kids aren’t “mature” enough for a friendly little hug? That’s kind of ridiculous.