In pre-covid times, how many times do you remember having coaxed your child to hug their uncle or aunt or let them kiss them on their cheeks? We do it because doing otherwise may sound rude, right? But do you know by doing this we end up ruining the concept of Consent for our kids. And if left unaddressed, it can lead to complex issues with regard to body boundaries.
Consent education should ideally begin early on so that the kids can understand in a phased manner what it means and why it is important. They should understand clearly that when someone refuses body contact, it should be respected and adhered to. This includes hugging, kissing and even tickling.
Moreover, just teaching your child that it is okay to say NO to bodily affection may not be enough. You should empower your child with ways to do that. Like, he could offer someone to do a fist bump instead of a hug.
Books like C for Consent by Eleanor Morrison can be a ready start. The book is not only for your child but also for parents, grandparents and caregivers to make them accept the fact that it is okay for their child to say no to hugs or kisses, even if they come from known people. The simple message is that it is their body and they can decide what happens to it.
Experts explain that helping your child understand the importance of setting body boundaries helps them be comfortable in expressing what they feel and in also respecting boundaries of others. Last but not least, they should know that when someone violates their body boundaries, they should report it to their inner circle (parents, teachers or even grandparents). They should be made aware that if someone touches them inappropriately, it isn’t their fault but it is their responsibility to inform a trusted elder.
The discussion around consent should not end in one exchange but should be given time and again for your child to understand its true value.
Comments (0)