http://tinyurl.com/68uvk5o
The above report is in some ways amusing and perplexing too. I wasn't aware that that the Indian society had become so 'modern' that adults were kissing often in public for that behaviour to be imitated by children. In any case, kissing young children, of course not on their lips, and asking children to kiss us , of course not on our lips, has been an age old practice in Indian society irrespective of the 'modernity' of the people. However, that practice so far has not led children to adopt that practice once they cross the tiny-tot stage. Many young children often seem embarrassed when their uncles and aunts show their affection by pecking at them! Even in the 'modern' Western societies, this kind of behaviour does not seem to have manifested among children. So it is surprising that the reported behaviour is more noticeable in the Indian society now.
In any case, one can also wonder why should it be a cause for worry. Kissing in the mouth as a form of greeting among adults, not as a gesture of intimacy- sexual or otherwise- I believe is prevalent in some societies. So, why should we plant unwanted ideas in the minds of the children about 'bad touch'. Of course any touch by a person with wrong motives can be 'bad touch' and that is something, the children must be made aware of, Though, how subtly that can be done is something which needs great attention. Otherwise, we can create young psychotics who may abhor all kinds of physical contacts.
In other words, are we making mountain of a mole hill when we observe these apparently abnormal behaviour of 'modern' children? Will children probably outgrow such behaviour at some stage and follow largely the norms of the society in which they interact, rather subconsciously?
The above report is in some ways amusing and perplexing too. I wasn't aware that that the Indian society had become so 'modern' that adults were kissing often in public for that behaviour to be imitated by children. In any case, kissing young children, of course not on their lips, and asking children to kiss us , of course not on our lips, has been an age old practice in Indian society irrespective of the 'modernity' of the people. However, that practice so far has not led children to adopt that practice once they cross the tiny-tot stage. Many young children often seem embarrassed when their uncles and aunts show their affection by pecking at them! Even in the 'modern' Western societies, this kind of behaviour does not seem to have manifested among children. So it is surprising that the reported behaviour is more noticeable in the Indian society now.
In any case, one can also wonder why should it be a cause for worry. Kissing in the mouth as a form of greeting among adults, not as a gesture of intimacy- sexual or otherwise- I believe is prevalent in some societies. So, why should we plant unwanted ideas in the minds of the children about 'bad touch'. Of course any touch by a person with wrong motives can be 'bad touch' and that is something, the children must be made aware of, Though, how subtly that can be done is something which needs great attention. Otherwise, we can create young psychotics who may abhor all kinds of physical contacts.
In other words, are we making mountain of a mole hill when we observe these apparently abnormal behaviour of 'modern' children? Will children probably outgrow such behaviour at some stage and follow largely the norms of the society in which they interact, rather subconsciously?
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