Oz school bans hugging

An Australian elementary school has banned hugging and other displays of affection between pre-teen boys and girls to set a good
example for younger students, the principal said Tuesday.


Teens get detention for huggingStudents at Largs Bay Primary School in the southern city of Adelaide were spoken to about "inappropriate behavior" between boyfriends and girlfriends when the new school term opened last week, said Principal Julie Gale. "We set strong standards of behavior for our Year 6 and 7 students, who are seen as role models by our younger students," Gale said in a statement, referring to the school's oldest students, ages 11 to 13.

The said hugging between friends was not banned "but we do discourage displays of affection in the school yard among students who have a boyfriend or girlfriend at the school."

The hugging ban mirrors restrictions by some US schools that have also outlawed hugs, kisses and physical horseplay in an attempt to prevent groping or injury and maintain the seriousness of the environment.
The Largs Bay ban came to public attention after some parents contacted the local newspaper to complain that the policy was too strict. Gale said she had not been approached by any parents