She Doesnt Owe Anyone a Hug. Not Even at the Holidays

[oberliner]

35. Understood

I find this an interesting conversation, and I hope you are not taking it the wrong way. I am just sharing my thoughts, and I very much respect hearing yours.

Let me just make this one final point on the subject.

You said that you were happy that your grand-nieces initiated a hug with you. You described it as being something positive (it was nice). There is something about a family member initiating a hug that makes the receiver of the hug feel loved.

While I understand that there are some folks who don't want a hug, there may be others who really do - and get a nice warm feeling inside when a relative they look up to or admire in some way takes the time to initiate that little show of affection.

Edit to add: And when there are different guidelines for different genders, you could have a young person thinking: "Aunt Sue always gives me a big hug when she sees me, why doesn't Uncle John?"