Oak Park, IL (AHN) — If you need a hug, steer clear of Percy Julian Middle School. Principal Victoria Sharts is cracking down on the “extreme hugging” that has gotten out of control at her suburban Chicago school, evidenced by a rash of recent “hug lines,” causing hallway congestion and sharp increases in student tardiness.

“Hugging is really more appropriate for airports or for family reunions than passing and seeing each other every few minutes in the halls,” Sharts said.

Another issue that the no-hug ban will address is huggers that hold on or too long, or hug a little too closely. “There is another side to the issue when a hug is either unwanted or becomes inappropriate as judged by one of the students involved,” Sharts wrote in a letter sent home to parents.

However, it does appear that students will be able to get away with small amounts of discreet hugging. Sharts told the Chicago Tribune that students will only be punished for public hugging if they refuse to disentangle at a teacher’s request.

The need for the Percy Middle School ban could signal a more widespread trend. Other schools, as far away as DesMoines, Iowa and Cornwall, England, have also recently instituted measures to deter students from engaging in spontaneous group hugs, after citing similar concerns.

Source: NCbuy

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