Here Are 4 Ways We’re Accidentally Teaching Kids That Consent Doesn't Matter

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30. Okay, I'll buy that.

Children are taught that it is not polite to reject a hug, no matter how socially obnoxious. Even from other children, in some cases.

I am thinking of a certain 6 year old boy, with developmental delays. He runs up and hugs people in socially inappropriate occasions, as well as socially acceptable occasions. Most of us who work at the school are aware that we need to discourage hugging in his case. But adults and children who are unaware of this boy's aggressive need to hug people accept his awkwardly timed hugs because (I assume) they don't want to be rude.

He is aggressive in his hugging. He uses hugging as a way to express himself (not always nice feelings), which really concerns me. I am worried that he will be dangerous when he gets older, if he doesn't outgrow the habit.

Sometimes it is good to reject hugs.