Basic Mammalian Behavior Banned in High School

Touching is an extremely important psychological element for mammals, especially social mammals. If you want to cause severe psychological damage to someone, do not touch them as an infant. They will grow up with severe psychological, particularly anti-social, problems. Experiments with baby monkeys show that they are more interested in a soft, cuddly "mother" over one that provides food. Children should be hugged and kissed every day by their parents, and should probably be hugged by their teachers and friends every day as well. Touching releases endorphins, the body’s natural pain killers. Touch raises serotonin levels, which relieves depression, and stops the release of cortisol, a stress hormones. Touch turns on growth hormone, making children grow. And it causes the release of oxytocin, the love hormone. Thus, touch strengthens social bonds, makes us psychologically healthier, and makes us feel safer. Experiments in schools with massage have shown that massage (specifically, the touching involved) relaxes students, makes them less anxious, makes them more attentive, and thus makes them better students.

Thus, the ban against "public displays of affection" at Mascoutah High School in Mascoutah, IL that resulted in 13 year old Megan Coulter getting 2 days detention for hugging two of her friends is deeply troubling -- and, quite frankly, deeply immoral. The very thing that could solve many of the problems in our shcools -- appropriate touching, and especially hugging -- is being banned. Of course, this ban is merely indicative of where our society as a whole is going. We cannot touch one another for fear that we will be accused of sexual harrassment or, in our schools, of child molestation. This has resulted in our legislating against touching, in our undermining one of the most important socializing factors that evolved in mammals.

What our schools -- and our society overall -- needs is MORE hugging, not less. Perhaps we should go so far as to replace the handshake with the hug. And as for those who are responsible for such bans -- I suggest that everyone go up to them and give them a great big hug. My guess is that it is something they are and have been missing in their lives. They could use one.

At the very least, they will learn the difference between a hug and making out.