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In reply to the discussion: "Mother of girl involved in 'kissing' discipline speaks out" [View all]FedUpWithIt All
(4,442 posts)Kids witness their parents kissing. They sometimes witness older teen siblings kissing boyfriends. They see kissing on TV. Kissing happens in cartoons, and in public and to a child, it is a sign of affection. They kiss their grandmothers and their parents and their siblings. It isn't a far leap for a young child to assume that a kiss is a normal expression of liking someone. It isn't some sign that the boy is somehow deficient or even that his family has raised him inappropriately.
He is clearly taking time to fully realize the consequences and harm of his behavior and it is appropriate for the school to help him along in that area, especially since there is another child involved and she deserves protection, but to suggest that this child is being taught to cross boundaries or that he has "been through something" because of it is a massive leap.
Also, there is not a damned thing about this boys behavior at 6 that is predictive of future behavior. Kids at six years old still have "accidents" and have a hard time sitting still for long periods of time. That doesn't mean ten years down the road they'll still be bringing in extra underwear or getting kicked out of class for dancing next to their seat. The boy is six, in many ways he is acting like six year old children do. He is being taught that the behavior is not alright. He is being taught that he must change his behavior.
The mother, in the linked article, said she agrees with the punishment. I don't see where she is trying to teach "her son at six that he has the right to this girl's body to kiss as he wants".