Girl Scouts Say Girls Don't 'Owe Anyone A Hug' In Post About Forced Affection

While these hugs are typically of a non-sexual nature shared between relatives, the organization wants parents to understand that telling girls they "owe" someone a hug simply because they gave them something could give these kids "the wrong idea about consent and physical affection."

There, Girl Scouts' developmental psychologist, Dr. Andrew Bastiani Archibald, said:

"The notion of consent may seem very grown-up and like something that doesn't pertain to children, but the lessons girls learn when they're young about setting physical boundaries and expecting them to be respected last a lifetime, and can influence how she feels about herself and her body as she gets older."

This, as the Girl Scouts organization explained, can "set the stage for her questioning whether she 'owes' another person any type of physical affection when they've bought her dinner or done something else seemingly nice for her later in life."

While this is certainly acceptable, GSUSA specified that they're talking about daughters who are a bit more shy and unwilling to hug anyone on her own accord. They should have their own free will to decide who they hug and when.

"Consider letting her choose what to do," the organization wrote.

Instead, find a different means of showing appreciation that doesn't require physical contact.

"Saying how much she's missed someone or 'thank you' with a smile, a high-five, or even an air kiss are all ways she can express herself, and it's important that she knows she gets to choose which feels most comfortable to her."

"This is just stupid," one Twitter user wrote. "There's nothing wrong with telling a son or daughter to give Grandma and Grandpa a hug when they come to see them for the holidays."

Another added that forcing children to hug relatives "is teaching them manners. Something apparently unimportant to the new @girlscouts."

"I absolutely wish that the family I was raised in had adhered to this practice and the greater principle at play," this user wrote. "Your daughter doesn't OWE anyone physical affection for any reason. Female bodies should never be playgrounds for quid pro quos."

Someone else echoed this and said, "Wish this mentality was around when I was growing up as I was constantly forced to spend time and be affectionate with relatives who made me feel uncomfortable."

As this user pointed out, "So many dudes triggered by this thread because they know no one in their family wants to voluntarily make physical contact with them."

"All I see replying to this is a bunch of triggered, white, conservative, male boomers," another person added. "Why are a bunch of old white guys upset that they have to ask a little girl if it's okay to touch her or not?"

Personally, speaking as someone who grew up cripplingly shy, I also wish my parents would have adopted this similar approach to the holidays.

Even now, when I give my younger relatives a gift and their parents order them to thank me with a reluctant hug, I feel sorry for them. It would be nice if we could at least give the unwilling kids a choice in the matter, rather than forcing them onto their relatives.

h/t: CNN, Girl Scouts