Everybody Needs To See This Controversial Viral Meme About Children And Consent
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Telling your child to hug or kiss a family friend or relative might seem like an innocent thing to do, but as this controversial meme points out, it could actually be giving your kids a dangerous message about the rules of consent.
“I am 5,” reads the meme’s message. “My body is my body. Don’t force me to kiss or hug.” It was posted on A Might Girl’s Facebook page alongside excerpts from an article titled “I don’t own my child’s body,” written by CNN writer and producer Katia Hetter. In it she argues that encouraging children to submit to unwanted affection is actually teaching them that their bodies do not belong to them, and that forcing them to touch people they don’t want to could actually leave them vulnerable to sexual abusers. The post has since been liked more than 88k times and shared by over 162k people. It’s also started a dialogue on what parents should and shouldn’t be teaching their children. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.
More info: Facebook (h/t: 22words)
This controversial meme has gone viral for its important message about children and consent
The post was inspired Katia Hetter’s post on CNN titled “I don’t own my child’s body”
In it she argues that forcing kids to show unwanted affection is teaching them that their bodies don’t belong to them, which could leave them vulnerable to abuse
The meme has started a dialogue about children and consent
A number of people agreed with the post and shared their own opinions and stories
Other people had different opinions however
And some shared their belief in the “hug, handshake or high five” option. What do you think?
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!["Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her"](https://www.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/coworker-complains-to-hr-about-womans-body-revenge-latest.jpg "\"Karen Complains To HR About My Body, I Uno-Reverse Her Complaint, [And Now] Everyone Hates Her\"")
I wonder how she feels about having her image and story plastered all over the internet?
I suppose there is no need to ask permission for that...
Caitlyn...I was ironic and totally concur with Herb comment...
There is nothing that says that is her child. It's probably a stock photo, that anyone can use.
It's a stock photo of a random girl. Just do a google search, people.
The girl pictured in this photo is not her daughter. It is probably a stock photo.
What struck me is that the girl's ears are pierced, and she's only 5....did she consent to that...
It might be the case. My eldest daughter was 4 when she insisted for ear piercing so it was her own choice. My little one is 4 now but she doesn't care about piercing so won't get it unless she asks.
There has been discussion in my circle about posting pictures of your young child online....what you put on the internet will be there forever. If my silly pre-teen pics ended up on some "awkward family photos" blog or some stupid meme I would NOT be happy
None of you know if that is the child and whether or not she was asked permission. You're drawing conclusions and making ignorant statements
Spot on!
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yeah exactly or having to clean her bedroom!!!!! this article is total GARBAGE and that's way college students had the day off when Trump was elected because they were sad and then rioted!! Garbage article and everyone that agrees with should move to another planet. Millions of people generation before us coped, the person who wrote this article should be embarrassed. NANNY STATE NANNY STATE NANNY STATE NANNY STATE
Mardi darling, you call this coping? You're a crybaby who can't stand watching others treat their children better than you. Get therapy before you give yourself a stroke.
Calm down, luv. Sheesh..
i a mom and i think this is a good idea. children often are force to do thing that they dont want to do and just because they are children their opinion dont matter
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hey mom hows that working out for you when they need to clean their room? What happens if they don't want to???? poor kids. please
Asking and teaching a child to clean their room is a basic hygiene routine, the child can decorate their room how they would like, but to keep it clean is a hygiene aspect.
Think of it in terms of boss/employee. "Clean your workstation" is very different to "Go give sleazy Barry a kiss & hug for his birthday".
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
yeah, don;t force them to eat healthy or do their homework or be respectful or not to lie, cheat or steal. That would be bad.
You're comparing apples and oranges.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So we as parents are not allowed to tell our kids what to do!
You should not be allowed to tell your kids to do something that is harmful to them, and that includes teaching them - especially young girls - that pleasing other people is more important than their right to their own bodies. Yeah, it starts THAT young.
You got it. Unless you're happy with other people telling you what to do. They are also people, they have feelings and preferences with how much emotion they like to show to others.
You can tell them, sure... not force them.
I witnessed at a family meeting from my fiancees side how a granddaugther was forced to hug their grandparents and she did everything to wiggle out from their arms asap. If the 5 year old kid sees them twice a year, they are strangers to her, and I am positive she doesn't grasp fully the family relations idea yet. i felt very sorry for her and I am sure that the hugh-high five-hello-handshake option is way better than what I had to see.
This article is a Huge eye opener. I was an abused child, had loving and caring parents, family and siblings. I wonder now had I been given this option how things would have been. I don't dwell on it, I am 43 and know now that I can offer this Choice to my neices and nephews as well as other children. Thank you very much for bringing this important issue to light. Blessings to all, main point no matter what and or how you feel towards article, is that we keep Children Safe!
I wonder how she feels about having her image and story plastered all over the internet?
I suppose there is no need to ask permission for that...
Caitlyn...I was ironic and totally concur with Herb comment...
There is nothing that says that is her child. It's probably a stock photo, that anyone can use.
It's a stock photo of a random girl. Just do a google search, people.
The girl pictured in this photo is not her daughter. It is probably a stock photo.
What struck me is that the girl's ears are pierced, and she's only 5....did she consent to that...
It might be the case. My eldest daughter was 4 when she insisted for ear piercing so it was her own choice. My little one is 4 now but she doesn't care about piercing so won't get it unless she asks.
There has been discussion in my circle about posting pictures of your young child online....what you put on the internet will be there forever. If my silly pre-teen pics ended up on some "awkward family photos" blog or some stupid meme I would NOT be happy
None of you know if that is the child and whether or not she was asked permission. You're drawing conclusions and making ignorant statements
Spot on!
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
yeah exactly or having to clean her bedroom!!!!! this article is total GARBAGE and that's way college students had the day off when Trump was elected because they were sad and then rioted!! Garbage article and everyone that agrees with should move to another planet. Millions of people generation before us coped, the person who wrote this article should be embarrassed. NANNY STATE NANNY STATE NANNY STATE NANNY STATE
Mardi darling, you call this coping? You're a crybaby who can't stand watching others treat their children better than you. Get therapy before you give yourself a stroke.
Calm down, luv. Sheesh..
i a mom and i think this is a good idea. children often are force to do thing that they dont want to do and just because they are children their opinion dont matter
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
hey mom hows that working out for you when they need to clean their room? What happens if they don't want to???? poor kids. please
Asking and teaching a child to clean their room is a basic hygiene routine, the child can decorate their room how they would like, but to keep it clean is a hygiene aspect.
Think of it in terms of boss/employee. "Clean your workstation" is very different to "Go give sleazy Barry a kiss & hug for his birthday".
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
yeah, don;t force them to eat healthy or do their homework or be respectful or not to lie, cheat or steal. That would be bad.
You're comparing apples and oranges.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
So we as parents are not allowed to tell our kids what to do!
You should not be allowed to tell your kids to do something that is harmful to them, and that includes teaching them - especially young girls - that pleasing other people is more important than their right to their own bodies. Yeah, it starts THAT young.
You got it. Unless you're happy with other people telling you what to do. They are also people, they have feelings and preferences with how much emotion they like to show to others.
You can tell them, sure... not force them.
I witnessed at a family meeting from my fiancees side how a granddaugther was forced to hug their grandparents and she did everything to wiggle out from their arms asap. If the 5 year old kid sees them twice a year, they are strangers to her, and I am positive she doesn't grasp fully the family relations idea yet. i felt very sorry for her and I am sure that the hugh-high five-hello-handshake option is way better than what I had to see.
This article is a Huge eye opener. I was an abused child, had loving and caring parents, family and siblings. I wonder now had I been given this option how things would have been. I don't dwell on it, I am 43 and know now that I can offer this Choice to my neices and nephews as well as other children. Thank you very much for bringing this important issue to light. Blessings to all, main point no matter what and or how you feel towards article, is that we keep Children Safe!