New Jersey middle school is now a "no hugging school"

I went to this middle school. Apparently the "us vs them" mentality that prevailed throughout the administration at the time I went there in the late '80s is still very much alive and well.

When I went there, there was a rule against going to your locker except at the very beginning and the very end of the day.

I recognize that there are people who don't like being hugged, but a student who hugs another student against their will is a localized behavioral problem that cannot be fixed with a "one size fits all" policy. Fixing isolated problems with global solutions is another thing they were always notorious for.

I do hope that there's lots of backlash and that kids don't listen to this butthead principal. If I had a kid and he got in trouble for the right reasons (disregarding insane rules like this one,) I would reward him handsomely.

http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/03/22/reports-new-jersey-middle-school-bans-hugging/

that is weird like you said it's probably an isolated situation that spun out of control.

Sometimes girls will get into the habit of hugging each other as a clinque group. Always annoyed me it didn't feel like a real hug.

but sometimes just hugging because you really need it what about in times of real emgerency? Is that not allowed? it's like you're not allow to express any kind of emotion. crazy

In Sweden, this would cause mass riots. People like their hugs.

The principal resigned, citing personal reasons. He tried to explain that he meant that prolonged, public displays of hugging were banned, and not simple hugs. He was quoted by various sources as saying in the original announcement that Matawan Avenue "is a no-hugging school." I say it's for the best, even if it was a simple miscommunication and not backpedaling, he's still an idiot. When you're the principal, what you say and how you say it kind of matters, especially during morning announcements.