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THE
INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK
Issue
36 • January 2002 |
home / contents
 IN A NUTSHELL — BY HENRY MAIER
Hugging and Physical Touch
Have you hugged a child today? If "Yes", good for
you and the recipient! If "No", do it soon; a long day
is still ahead
of you.
During the past years an undesirable practice has
snuck in. Workers tend to ask a child, "May I touch you?" Nonsense!
Asking that question implies that the worker is apt to be dangerous,
possibly lecherous. This question was based on bureaucratic concerns
intended to ward off legal actions, when in essence it reflects a lack
of trust in the workers *
natural and desirable humanness. Actually, touch is neither good nor
bad. It*s
merely a human form of normal personal interaction. Let*s
enrich our work with its human qualities.
The poem below highlights it very
clearly.
________
Practice
Hugging ...*
By Kathleen Keating
HUGGING IS HEALTHY, it helps the body's
immune system,
It keeps you healthier, it.cures
depression, it reduces stress,
It induces sleep, it’s invigorating, it’s
rejuvenating,
It has no unpleasant side effects and
HUGGING IS NOTHING LESS THAN A MIRACLE
DRUG.
HUGGING IS NATURAL, it is organic,
naturally sweet,
No pesticides, no artificial ingredients
and is 100% wholesome.
HUGGING IS PRACTICALLY PERFECT,
there are no movable parts,
No batteries to wear out, no periodic
checkups,
Low energy consumption, high energy
yield, inflation-proof,
Non-fattening, no monthly payments, no
insurance requirements,
Of course—FULLY RETURNABLE.
At the end of a tiring and difficult day
When very little seemed to go my way -
I need a hug.
When I feel confused and life ’s
a dream,
When I’m stupid you know what I mean,
I need a hug.
When I am all smiles and life’s a song,
When everything’s right and nothing is
wrong.
I NEED A HUG.
_________
To the reader, mentally a warm hug!
hwmaier@aol.com
* From South Africa's Child & Youth Care Journal,
Vol.19 No.8, August 2001, p. 20
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