Parents Online Are Embracing Their Children's Bodily Autonomy And The Importance Of Teaching Them About Consent
"No one's feelings are ever going to be more important to me than my daughter's right to her own body."
Parents are debating a simple question that can turn surprisingly tense: should children be expected to hug or kiss adults on demand? For some families, it is just a polite greeting. For others, it is a line that should never be crossed.
In this story, several parents and caregivers are pushing back on the idea that children owe anyone physical affection. They say kids should be allowed to say no, even when the refusal makes other adults uncomfortable, and that consent starts with the smallest everyday moments.
That debate has sparked strong reactions online, and one viral video helped push it even further into the spotlight.
Some parents say that children should be rewarded for exercising control of what happens to their own bodies.
'Swedepea' says she would never make her daughter hug someone if she didn't want to.
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'Misharoux' says she has had a stranger try to force a hug on her daughter.
Childcare worker 'ineeduhnap' says that children should be taught to ask permission, even when hugging a friend.
That is where the conversation really starts to split.
Aussie Brittany Baxter's video on the subject went viral.
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Her post pulled a lot of people into the debate.
This is similar to the AITA fight where someone demanded less PDA from their partner.
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She hates it when adults overstep her daughter's boundaries by using guilt.
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Some readers agreed right away, while others pushed back hard.
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Here's how people reacted.
It is a small boundary, but it clearly struck a nerve.
Want another family boundary clash? Read about the sister-in-law debate over holding the baby. Is it wrong to ask for a turn holding the baby?
