I know I haven't posted anything in forever, so I apologize, but today I have something truly full of angst to rant about today.
There is a boy that I teach. He is about ten years old, and he is a joy to be around. He constantly smiles and tries to make everyone around him laugh. He loves to play with anyone, and he adores being the center of attention.
This boy is Chinese. He was adopted into an American family very recently, so he's still mastering English. On top of that, he has a slight speech impediment due to the shape of his lips that makes him a little difficult to understand.
Despite these things, he has made himself extremely popular with my other students. He is well liked, and genuinely gets along with everyone else.
Today, I learned that this student of mine is ostracized by his fellow students at school.
He does not have very many friends.
The reason?
He likes to hold hands with his friends.
Due to this, he has been labeled a weirdo, and therefore cast out.
It breaks my heart.
This kind, loving child, in an act to show his friendship caused him to loose what friends he had.
Apparently, American children now think that if a boy holds hands with another boy he's "gay" or if a boy holds hands with another girl he's "flirting".
These children haven't even hit puberty.
My student doesn't think of these things when he wants to hold hands. In China, hand-holding is a sign of friendship.
Oh wait.
It's a sign of friendship in Japan too.
And India.
And Afghanistan.
and BASICALLY EVERYWHERE.
Why is it a symbol of sexuality or romantic intention here?
Moreover, why in the world do these very young children view it as such?
I remember when I was in elementary school, girls would ask me "Which boy is the hottest?" as they pointed to the cover of an 'N Sync CD and I would be left with a blank stare. Frankly, I was far more concerned about dragons and spies than I was about boys. But even then holding hands between myself and my friends was a very innocent thing. We did it all the time.
I just don't understand how a very simple gesture has turned into something fairly taboo. How can children do that to another over something so innocent?
I'm honestly still struck with horror. I can only hope that my student will find someone who accepts him for the positive ray of sunshine that he is.
