The Girl Scouts of America is encouraging parents to tell their daughters not to hug their relatives during the holidays.
The organization released a statement Tuesday suggesting girls should not feel obligated to hug relatives who give them presents, as they might feel they "owe" physical affection to someone who bought them dinner later in life.
“The notion of consent may seem very grown-up and like something that doesn’t pertain to children,” says Girl Scouts’ developmental psychologist Dr. Andrea Bastiani Archibald, “but the lessons girls learn when they’re young about setting physical boundaries and expecting them to be respected last a lifetime, and can influence how she feels about herself and her body as she gets older...”
The statement was issued in response to revelations and allegations about sexual misconduct by a series of high-profile men in politics, entertainment, and media.
Instead of hugs, they suggest thanking relatives with a smile or an air kiss.