Is it okay for a teacher to kiss a student on the face?

[Anonymous]

I would not have a problem with a kiss on the cheek, as long as my child were comfortable with it.

What you describe (in your follow-up) is not okay.

[Anonymous]

Maybe possibly that French air kiss thing, if it's the French teacher. Otherwise no.

One thing that I think that teachers need to understand is that even if their intentions are caring and innocent and they don't harm a child directly in anyway, when we normalize poor boundaries with students. I want my students to know that good teachers don't ask you to stay alone in a room with them unless the door is glass or open and there are other people about. They don't kiss you. They ask before they touch you at all, unless they're pulling you back from traffic, and respect your request not to be touched, etc . . . I want them to know this, not because they need to be protected from me, but because it increases the likelihood that they'll recognize a grooming situation as wrong and bring it to someone's attention.

[Anonymous]

In US and Western countries, this might not be okay but if you go to other countries like Africa, it is absolutely okay if it is the same gender.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Maybe possibly that French air kiss thing, if it's the French teacher. Otherwise no.

One thing that I think that teachers need to understand is that even if their intentions are caring and innocent and they don't harm a child directly in anyway, when we normalize poor boundaries with students. I want my students to know that good teachers don't ask you to stay alone in a room with them unless the door is glass or open and there are other people about. They don't kiss you. They ask before they touch you at all, unless they're pulling you back from traffic, and respect your request not to be touched, etc . . . I want them to know this, not because they need to be protected from me, but because it increases the likelihood that they'll recognize a grooming situation as wrong and bring it to someone's attention.

+1 Thank you. This exactly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

My son's second grade teacher did this at a private school. Unless it bothers you or your child, let your child feel loved & cared for by his/her teacher. Most teachers will never make a child feel as special as that teacher. His teacher even kissed my check on the last day of school.

I agree. This is just not really a big deal to me, but I'm not uptight about physical affection or sex or bodies and am glad when the people who care for and teach my children all day every day actually genuinely care about them. If it were a constant daily thing maybe, but the occasional show of affection is okay by me.

[Anonymous]

Pediatrician here.

This is absolutely not ok.

This is not the French teacher giving a peck to her student when she sees her at the park.

This is a teacher kissing a child only when alone and only showing this "affection" to this child alone. Huge red flags to me.

[doodlebug]

Anonymous wrote:Pediatrician here.

This is absolutely not ok.

This is not the French teacher giving a peck to her student when she sees her at the park.

This is a teacher kissing a child only when alone and only showing this "affection" to this child alone. Huge red flags to me.

This is a 7 yr old's version of events. How could the child possibly know whether or not it happens to other kids? He/she can't know that. Especially if it happens in private has the kid says. I'm suspect of the child's version of events, but maybe I'm just not paranoid enough.

[Anonymous]

In Europe, yes. In the US, no.

Even if innocent, the teacher is just asking for a hysterical over-reaction from a parent or someone else who witnesses it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Teacher and DC are same gender. DC says the teacher does not kiss other students and that this happens when other students can't see it. This apparently has happened more than once but I'm just now hearing about it from DC. I reiterated that our body is our private space and no one is allowed to touch us without our permission and that no one at school should be asking to do so.

This would make me very uncomfortable.

I do think there are instances where a kiss can be fine, but this above sounds inappropriate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Pediatrician here.

This is absolutely not ok.

This is not the French teacher giving a peck to her student when she sees her at the park.

This is a teacher kissing a child only when alone and only showing this "affection" to this child alone. Huge red flags to me.

OK, now I agree with the doctor here. I'm never alone with children (not my line of work), but you're absolutely right if that's the scenario. The fact they are alone seems like an early form of "grooming."

I wouldn't be comfortable with this at all.

[Anonymous]

I don't think OP ever confirmed that DC and teacher are both female...it was just stated that they are the same gender.

Also,

In US and Western countries, this might not be okay but if you go to other countries like Africa, it is absolutely okay if it is the same gender.

...Africa is not a country.

[Anonymous]

My daughter is in middle school and her teacher been hugging and kissing her since 6th grade and I just found out about it her 7th grade year. The CPS case was ruled out for sexual abuse. My question is how can this teacher pay for the things he has done and said to my daughter?

[Anonymous]

No it's not okay for a teacher to kiss any child on the face no matter what age and what the circumstances are.

[Anonymous]

It's never OK, at any age.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is in middle school and her teacher been hugging and kissing her since 6th grade and I just found out about it her 7th grade year. The CPS case was ruled out for sexual abuse. My question is how can this teacher pay for the things he has done and said to my daughter?

WTF that is not ok! Time to take it beyond CPS.