Hugging 'Ban' At Matawan Aberdeen Middle In New Jersey Not Explicit, Superintendent Says

ABERDEEN TOWNSHIP, N.J. -- A New Jersey school superintendent says there's no policy against hugging in the district, and says the issue of middle schoolers being told by their principal not to hug each other anymore is being blown out of proportion.

The district says Matawan-Aberdeen Middle School Principal Tyler Blackmore made an announcement that its 900 students were in a "no hugging school" following some "incidents of unsuitable, physical interactions."

School Superintendent David Healy said the district has the responsibility to teach children about appropriate interactions. But he said no one would be disciplined for hugging.

"There is no policy specific to hugging, and we have not, nor will we be, suspending students for hugging," he said in a written statement. "It is unfortunate that there are those who find purpose and humor in sensationalizing such a routine school-related issue at the expense and inconvenience of our children and our school community."

The superintendent said he believes the principal acted responsibly in making the recent school announcement regarding hugging. The district's Board of Education does have policies in place to address bullying, inappropriate relationships and inappropriate conduct, he added.

Students range in ages from 11 to 14 in grades six to eight.

Comments

[jm26dream]

12:53 PM on 03/29/2012

We should ban eye contact and verbal communication

[Arlene La Hera]

11:11 AM on 03/27/2012

I think using the words "inappropriate or unwanted physical contact" covers the casual sex, physical assault and half nelsons the school is trying to prohibit without resorting to this absurd "no hugging" policy.

[Charlie Feather]

07:14 AM on 03/26/2012

The new puritanism is upon us!

[Ron in NYC]

02:47 PM on 03/25/2012

No hugging, but wrestling, groping and other violent sports such as football and dodge ball are encouraged and celebrated. Shirts or skins?

[OldBear]

01:11 PM on 03/25/2012

This works, America can look forward to a society based on a lack of affection and interaction between individuals. Just Rock on

[TheNextVoiceofYouth]

12:24 PM on 03/25/2012

I think they are taking the "no public displays of affection" rule too far. You want to ban something, ban the kissing, not the hugging.

[OldBear]

01:15 PM on 03/25/2012

Given the infectious vector of viruses just ban all physical contact including handshakes, talking or violation of a 10 foot privacy zone.

[Ron in NYC]

02:48 PM on 03/25/2012

Yeah, let's make them all wear special sanitized clothing too.

[Arlene La Hera]

11:20 AM on 03/27/2012

You cannot stop a behavior most friendly and social animals, even chimps demonstrate as part of a tribe. Children will kiss each other automatically. Hopefully, they pick it up from their mom and dad and they understand it is a sign of LOVE. You have to completely reprogram their innocent little minds to get them to understand this is an unwanted sexual advance.

[ray3038]

08:12 AM on 03/25/2012

Okay everyone, take a deep breath and relax. When something happens at our schools that is negative the very first thing we do is ask "Why didn't the school do something to control this?" then when some school then when the school actually does something you can't complain at the school. Give them a break.
All through my high school I never felt the need to hug anyone and yes there were a few couples who felt the need to make out on the hallways and they were quickly stopped by the teachers. My lesson learned was there's a time and a place for everything.

[Ron in NYC]

02:50 PM on 03/25/2012

Sounds like a very uptight (read: tight-a$$ed) administration to me. I think the principal should back up against a wall and suck out a brick.

[SalesmanForLife]

05:12 AM on 03/25/2012

Kids hug, get over it!! They wrap their arms around eachother and walk, wtf is wrong with adults these days.

I promise you, the parents of today are putting us firmly on the path to ruin and there is no longer anywhere to go.

Pathetic.

[nypoet22]

08:38 AM on 03/25/2012

if it stopped at walking arm in arm or a quick hug in passing then it wouldn't be a problem. the problem arises when a line of students touching and groping blocks the hallway, making other students socially uncomfortable and late for class. sometimes you have to set the speed limit at 55 so there's no ambiguity when you stop someone doing 90.

[SalesmanForLife]

08:20 PM on 03/25/2012

I totally get what you are saying, totally, but remember we are talking about grade school children, parents need to be on board on what is acceptable and set an example, too.

[OldBear]

01:18 PM on 03/25/2012

PDA (public display of affection) is socially unacceptable at any time. Just ask any of the many social curmudgeons.

[SalesmanForLife]

08:18 PM on 03/25/2012

And I hope NO ONE ever touches them or gives a, shudder, wink. Fools and bullies.

[sassandahalf]

01:30 AM on 03/25/2012

Everything in this country is aimed at the lowest common denominator of society. The bans on physical contact at school are because of the culture of pushing the limits all the time. The media does it, politicians do it, and commenters do it. Everyone has to cross the current line of decency just because. It lowers all of us to that level. People in authority feel they have to stem it, because someone will feel the need to push it lower. Here's an idea...everyone aim higher.

[jerseyj08]

12:34 AM on 03/25/2012

Why should any hugging be done in school, has everyone gone mad?

[Fran Jaime]

02:19 AM on 03/25/2012

Kids hug each other or kiss on the cheek when they meet up in the hallways. Couples or friends hug to comfort each other when they are stressed or are having a difficult day. Hugging is an important part of human interaction.

[jerseyj08]

02:43 AM on 03/25/2012

Yes it is outside of a place of learning.

[lcr999]

05:16 PM on 03/25/2012

Kids hug their friends all the time.

[jerseyj08]

06:55 PM on 03/25/2012

I grew up in the 1960s and 1970s and believe me, there was never need for anyone to hug at school. Hold hands with your steady, yes. Hugging, no, not in hallways of school in everyone's view.
Maybe we should start allowing hugging in courtrooms? What do you think? We could hug the judge, the jury everyday? The heck with it all! Hug the people you pass on the street as well.

[Marioam]

11:37 PM on 03/24/2012

No wonder Europe laughs at us. We like to think we are so much better then anyone else but we are the most phobic and uptight nation there is. We really are a laughing stock to the world.

[Bob Vos]

12:30 AM on 03/25/2012

Please don't stop because the rest of us need some comic relief to get thru the trials of everyday life. Every time I hear the term "American Exceptionalism" I kind of chuckle. A little more love ,patience and tolerance would go along way but America seems full of hatred, racism and bigotry and in some cases just plain ignorance

[Rebekkah Anne]

10:05 PM on 03/24/2012

Pretty soon children in public schools will be going around in appropriate-sized hamster balls a.k.a. Protective Bubbles.

[HeatherAshx3]

09:54 PM on 03/24/2012

I go to a school, in Florida, where we are NOT allowed hugging. The high schoolers can ONLY hold hands, and the middle schoolers are not even allowed that. I don't see the huge deal in this anyways, due to the fact that most schools only have 6 & a half, 7 hours per day. Besides, if you can't go 7 hours without hugging someone besides your parents, there's a huge problem there.

[blogger521]

10:56 PM on 03/24/2012

Holding hands leads to deviancy, prostitution and devil worship. It's a slippery slope and your school's policies are still way too lax.

[Anybodyseenthepopos]

06:28 AM on 03/28/2012

ROFLMAO!!

[SalesmanForLife]

05:15 AM on 03/25/2012

There is a huge difference in the life development of a HS student and grade school children. Children hug.

[HeatherAshx3]

07:00 AM on 03/25/2012

Still. Elementary, yes, But by 6th grade you should be able to control yourself..

[Lonnie DeVorak]

08:29 PM on 03/24/2012

Yea the kids can't hug each other....save that for the teachers.

[AlfredE69]

07:49 PM on 03/24/2012

If hugging is outlawed, only outlaws would be hugging.

[Lonnie DeVorak]

08:36 PM on 03/24/2012

he he he.......I like that...:p

[jerseyj08]

12:45 AM on 03/25/2012

Looking at the way things have evolved from innocence to more advanced, I'd say that kids today are no longer simply, innocently hugging in school. Everything is out of control. School is a place for learning, not physically socializing. One day people are going to stand up for what is right and the school Superintendent did exactly that. Good for him..