UNITED STATES
Good Morning America
November 20, 2017
By Katie Kindelan
Girl Scouts of the USA issued a warning to parents this holiday season, asking them to think twice before forcing their daughters to hug relatives at gatherings.
“Think of it this way, telling your child that she owes someone a hug either just because she hasn’t seen this person in a while or because they gave her a gift can set the stage for her questioning whether she ‘owes’ another person any type of physical affection when they have bought her dinner or done something else seemingly nice for her later in life,” reads the post on the Girl Scouts’ website.
The organization’s missive to parents comes as allegations of sexual misconduct by men ring out from every industry, including Hollywood, politics and the media.
One in nine girls under the age of 18 experiences sexual abuse or assault at the hands of an adult, according to data shared by the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN), an anti-sexual assault organization.
Past research also suggests that nearly one in three episodes of sexual abuse of a child is perpetrated by a family member.
The Girl Scouts’ post encourages parents to offer their daughters ways to show gratitude that do not require physical contact, including “a smile, a high-five, or even an air kiss.”
Dr. Janet Taylor, a psychiatrist based in New York City and Sarasota, Fla., said parents should be careful to not create “a mass hysteria about physical contact with loved ones,” especially during the holiday season.
“As parents, we have to use common sense and also realize that it’s never too early to start a conversation about good touch and bad touch,” said Taylor. “But also we don’t want to overstep our boundaries so our children are not afraid of who they should not be afraid of.”
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