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Hugging Should Be Encouraged

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 13, 2007

Regarding 'Sometimes, A Hug Is Just A Hug' (Other Views, Oct. 6):

Leonard Pitts' column was excellent, to say the least.

I read it with tears in my eyes and sadness in my heart. When you see something that the group saw while traveling with a Holocaust memorial group, how could it not affect you and make you want to hug someone, possibly a complete stranger, for solace and comfort to help ease the grief you are feeling which those people experienced in 1941?

There are many things that happen which make me want to reach out to someone for comfort. I see absolutely nothing wrong with that. Why in the world would the schools today ban public displays of hugging and group hand-holding? If I were in charge of a school, I would encourage something such as this, only not in a solicitous manner, but in a way to share brotherly love and encouragement.

Teens today need to be encouraged to reach out and share instead of holding it in. In fact, everyone does! If only people would smile at one another while shopping and offer a greeting such as 'Hi' or 'Hello' or 'Have a nice day.' I do, and it makes me feel good when I do so. Try it. You just might like it.

MARY CARROLL

Lutz

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