People are way to easily offended because...

I'm not offended or anything, but "Janitor" and "Garbage Man" are two different jobs - one cleans and maintains a space while the other collects trash from the curb. You really shouldn't call a garbage man a janitor, because he/she isn't one. Janitor is not a politically correct term for Garbage Man - it's just a different thing altogether. "Sanitation Engineer" is the PC for Garbage Man, but not for Janitor. I don't even know if there is a PC term for a Janitor. But I get your point. Hope I didn't offend anyone...

Our society's over-hyped reaction to this type of interaction should cause any adult male to be extremely cautious around children.

This is one area that 'innocent until proven guilty' has been thrown out the window. Lives have been ruined by false assumptions and false accusations all in the name of 'if it saves just one child its worth it'. YES it is definitely worth protecting the children, but we've gone so far overboard that the slightest hint of an accusation has the villagers with torches ready to hang someone before the facts can be determined. Its a scary time to be an adult male that has any underage females in their life.

To be clear, I'm not a creep, perv, weirdo, pedophile, or anything like that. But I am observant and I learn. I've seen the stories of what happens to guys when confronted by a child-safety nazi. The type of people who are addicted to the sexual predators lists on the internet. The type who point fingers first and ask questions later. The type that live their entire lives in fear that someone is out to get them or their children. I feel so sorry for them because I know its as a result of some horrific trauma they probably suffered as a child themselves due to some perv relative. That's how terrible these crimes are, that even though the abuse may have only been once or a a few times it lasts FOREVER and affects all those around the abused person as well. I learn to avoid situations that could support any type of false claim. I refuse to babysit my grandchildren unless my wife is present. Heck, I don't even want to be alone in the same room with children for fear that someone will misinterpret something. Always best to have groups of three for protection of all parties involved, whether its a teacher, camp counselor, youth group leader or whatever.

I hate the world has become like this. I love my children and grandchildren. I hate being associated as part of a group of society that is automatically thought of by others as 'creepy old guys' simply because we committed the crimes of being male and getting older.

I'm an ethical adult in positions of authority...If a crying kid came to me with their arms outstretched knowing I could break their little heart even if I hated the little bugger I'm likely to give them a hug. I was trying to study when the university lunch thing happened, I did hate that kid haha. The only thought that would stop me would be the crazy people who would sue me for it. Not because I think it's a wrong and think it's an ethical rule. I'd hug a kid if they were crying and had their arms outstretched to me even if I'm not a fan of the kid.

There's a group of unparented kids who no longer get affection now. How is that going to mess them up as an adult? Not to mention all the angry and sad kids, some who will eventually get defensive because they don't understand why nobody wants to have anything to do with them. I don't care if half the school board was abused as children. I've had my share of bad experiences...That doesn't give me or them the right to take away affection from children.

Just wait till one day someone shoots up a school because they don't understand why half of society shunned them as children lol. Maybe going a little to far here but you get the point (hopefully).

^^ Yes this!!

I worked at a low low low income Title I school this past year. Some of these kids only get negative attention from their parents (or alot of times caregiver or foster parent). They need to understand that we are there, we love them no matter what, and I tell ya, most of all, some of them just need a hug every day.

I can't tell you how many times I would be standing in the hallway doing morning duty and would get dozens of child initiated hugs as they headed to breakfast.

The things I have see would break you heart. But it's priceless to see them come in all sad, see you waiting, smile and run and give you a hug. It's a bright spot in their day.

I was the Perm Sub for the building so I got to know pretty much every single class. So, no matter where I was in the buidling, I was being watched by children who needed a positive role model who they could talk to and trust. (it's a primary school).

It's just very unfortunate that we live in a society where these things have happened to children to cause such rules to be in effect.

FWIW in the city's orientation, they do a big thing on the "no touching" rule.

But, at the school where I was, they Principal and A.P. would also hug the kids.

They just need it, noone else loves them, they need to be shown it at least the 5 days a week while in our care.

YOu know what else kids needs.....they need you to tell them you love them and truly mean it.

We had a "tough little nut" who was a 2nd graders. In some kids you can just see the writing on the wall of where they life will be headed even at such a young age.

He never smile and was completely angry at the world. I mean, can you blame him, noone wanted him.....not even family. And the family he ended up with, well, they really ddin't want him either.

I made it a point that whenever I saw him, I would say good morning and smile at him. After a couple of month, he smiled back and did the same.

Whenever I needed to be in his class for the day to sub.....I made sure to hold his hand in the hall and shake it back and forth all silly like. Inside he liked it because he would look over at me and just smile while we were doing it.

It about broke my heart one day when he told me noone had ever held his hand (while shaking it silly) while they were wakling with him. :frown:

I totally understand why the laws are in place but children need this, they really do. When noone else will do it (love a child) a teacher needs to step up and do it.

That's why we are underpaid.