How about a hug?

Plug'd in...for students, by students at Huntingtown High School ....

Friday, Oct. 30, 2009

Click here to enlarge this photo Photos by EMILY MUTSCHLER Darcy Whelan and DJ Riddle share a hug. E-Mail This Article | Print This Story Click here to enlarge this photo

Whether it's a bear hug — or another of the more "bromantic" variety — hugging seems to be gaining popularity at school.

Let's face it, students of our generation have taken the idea of affection to an entirely new level. And since the standards for greetings have changed since generations of the past—parents and teachers grew up with handshakes and high fives — it's safe to say that this phenomenon, the idea of casually hugging each other numerous times in a day, seems a little off-putting to adults, to say the least.

"It's weird when students hug for long periods of time," said 11th grade Vice Principal Sabrina Bergen.

Even though a hug is a simple greeting among teens, some adults interpret it as a threat. According to English teacher Karen Wood, there's a fine line between being friendly and being overly friendly. The physical contact can get out of hand, she said, and that's what some teachers are trying to prevent.

Many teachers also feel that hugging, or any public displays of affection, are unnecessary in school. Wood believes that "PDA in any professional environment is inappropriate."

Hugs cause congestion in hallways and tardiness to class, according to teachers. The busy hallways can make others late, by slowing the overall traffic pattern throughout different parts of the school. Students stopping to socialize in already crowded hallways can also exacerbate the issue. This could lead to safety problems. If a teacher can't see down a hallway because students are blocking her view, a lack of supervision results — one that ultimately produces an unsafe environment for students.

Students, unsurprisingly, see the concept differently.

"Hugging is just a sign of friendship and caring," said sophomore Grace Fadely. "It's just an action of brightening someone's day."

Small hugs here and there are common throughout hallways of schools, and they aren't done with more sinister intentions in mind. "It's a general thing. It's how kids interact with each other nowadays," Fadely said. Hugging, she said, is a positive way to interact, regardless of age or gender.

And as if physically hugging wasn't enough, Facebook has created an application where friends can send hugs to one another virtually.

"Kids are going to keep hugging, no matter what adults say about it; it's what we do," said Fadely.