A Georgia mother is venting after her middle school daughter was disciplined for hugging a female student who was upset.
WXIA-TV reports that the hug took place during art class at Villa Rica Middle School in Temple, Ga.
The girl’s mother posted to Facebook to declare, “My daughter has never been in trouble at school, until today.”
The girl was written up “level one offenses” for an “inappropriate display of affection,” this is considered a warning at the school and discipline ended there.
While the school declined to comment on the case directly, it did reference the student handbook which notes public displays of affection at middle and high schools can be punished by warnings all the way up to short-term suspensions.
Many who have read the story have turned to the comments to voice their issue with the case leaving remarks like:
- “Ridiculous, sad, and an unfortunate sign of these troubled times. So we fail to report bullying, and fail to allow human acts of love and comforting. Backward is forward.”
- “R.I.P. Common Sense, you’re intensely missed!!”
- “God forbid happiness is spread.”
But not all feel that way, with one notably level headed comment reading: “The purpose of this policy is not to take away affection, compassion or empathy,” one commenter added. “If the schools allowed physical contact of any form it creates situations that are not appropriate at school. Unfortunately there is no way the school staff can constantly police the kids to determine what hug is innocent from an inappropriate touch. Best policy is to forbid touching of any kind.”
