(PCM) Back in 2010, Dr. Charlotte Resnick made some incredibly controversial commentary about parents who kiss their children on the lips claiming that it is “too sexual” and can be confusing for children, as they reach the point of their sexual awakening at around ages 4 thru 6. Dr. Resnick’s comments have now gone viral yet again causing a huge debate online with many parents feeling outraged over the doctor’s controversial comments.
Dr. Resnick defends her opinion by saying that kissing your child on the lips can be very confusing for them “because at what point do you stop”. She also goes on to say “the kiss on the lips can be stimulating for them. If mommy kisses daddy on the mouth and vice versa, what does that mean when I, a little girl or boy, kiss my parent on the mouth?”
She concludes by saying “If I had to answer when to stop kissing your kids on the lips, it would be now.”
Even many of Dr. Resnick’s colleagues do not agree with her opinion about parents kissing their children on the lips as they say, yes, there should be certain boundaries in place, but there is nothing wrong with a parent kissing a child on the mouth as it is a normal way to express affection. They feel it is in no way confusing to a child at all.
Truly, the way that affection is show can be different in every family and throughout various cultures. Kissing children or not kissing children on the lips should be a matter of family preference and/or tradition based upon what is comfortable to them. Many families even carry this type of behavior well into adult-hood as along as everyone is receptive to it, so there is truly not right or wrong answers. Once someone becomes non-receptive to it, that is the correct time to stop.
What do you think? Should parents stop this behavior or is it a normal way to show love and affection?
