More thoughts on a ‘simple’ hug

Editor’s note: love. On the other hand, they may be avoiding an encounter with the uncle who no one knew was a child molester. They may falsely accuse a gym coach of inappropriate touching when he was just helping a child stay safe, but they might be warding off a tragedy like Larry Nassar.

It’s hard to know the right thing to do, and as the kids grow into their teens, they seek physical closeness. Girls are more likely to want a hug; boys are likely to try to cop a feel at the same time. And thus it begins. It’s human nature at that point.

I wish I knew the answer — somehow they need to learn values. Parents would be the best source, but some of them are the ones perpetuating the problem. I’m not one to suggest religion, and besides, look at all the religious leaders who have been the problem. Schools? They might be a good substitute, but depending on where you live, they don’t know how to teach values without religion, and that’s a problem, plus respecting the values of the various cultures is also problematic.

A simple hug should be so … so simple, but it seems nothing is simple these days. You should be able to hug, and if it gets too intense, you pull away and that’s that. But it never has been that simple for women. Most of the time, yes. But every time, unless it’s with someone you already trust, there’s the thought that this time it might not be. That doesn’t mean hugs are fraught with horror.

I suppose it depends on the woman and her past experiences. For some, I imagine they are. For others, it’s a passing thought.