School in ban on hugging

Parents are outraged at ‘extreme’ no-contact rules

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3603452/Parents-outrage-as-school-bans-hugs.html

A school in Craydon, South London, imposed a non-contact rule. Students are forbidden to give each other high fives, shake hands or hug. A fifteen year old girl got detention because she greeted a female classmate with a hug. She had to sit apart and missed out on break because of it. Parents think the rules are “extreme” and “ludicrous”. In their opinion they prevent students from developing social skills. According to the school physical contacts between students are associated with poor behavior and can lead to fights and bullying. The principal adds that "It creates a disciplined environment which is essential for learning and respect."

What a ridiculous policy! I agree that physical contact could lead to fights and bullying, but I’ve been teaching for seven years now and I have never seen a fight start with handshaking, hugging or giving high fives. In society shaking hands is considered polite and hugs are given to show affection or to comfort someone. I agree with the parents that this policy prevents children from developing certain social skills. What kind of example is given to the pupils by punishing them for showing socially accepted behavior? In school we need a disciplined environment, but there are other ways to achieve this. My students give me high fives when they enter the classroom. I don’t consider this being disrespectful, it just their way of saying ‘good morning miss’.