Hug it out

I read a story in the New York Times last week that's still bugging me, so even though it's a few days old, I thought I'd share.

So, you know how everyone is always complaining that the U.S. educational system is falling apart at the seams and how American students keep falling farther behind their peers from around the world, and they can't find Canada on a map, and goofy stuff like that?

When I think of the problems plaguing schools, I think of factors like woeful funding shortages, crappy teachers who can't be fired (interesting recent coverage by the L.A. Times) and disinterested parents, not to mention the threat of deadly violence (Columbine, et. al.). Oh, and also homework - I always thought that was a major drag.

Apparently, when some other people think about what's wrong with schools today, they zero in on another scourge that I hadn't even considered: Too many students are hugging each other.

I never thought I'd read this sentence in an actual news article, but there it was: "Schools from Hillsdale, N.J., to Bend, Ore., wary in a litigious era about sexual harassment or improper touching — or citing hallway clogging and late arrivals to class — have banned hugging or imposed a three-second rule."

It's an awesome idea. Seriously, how can students be expected to learn in an environment where people are embracing each other? Animals.