Park Slope, never missing an opportunity to do something arguably questionable and decidedly ridiculous, is at it again. This time, a charter school serving students in the stroller-friendly area has adopted a no-hugs policy. That’s right, no hugs allowed.
Brooklyn Prospect Charter School principal Dan Rubinstein told the Brooklyn Paper that he enacted the rule to cut down on hallway loitering.
“It’s a time, place, and manner thing,” Rubinstein said. “We don’t want students spending too much social time between class.”
Park Slope parents, who are anti-ice cream truck, but totally pro-hug, are outraged over the new policy. In fact, they’ve dubbed it a “spirit-crushing assault on kindness” according to the Brooklyn Paper (but banning ice cream trucks in the park isn’t?).
How this new rule actually came about seems to be a point of contention. Kids say it happened after students began group-hugging in the halls, blocking the paths to and from classes. Parents say it happened after a student reported feeling uncomfortable with a hug from an older student.
Whatever the reason for the hug ban, students are less than amused with the new rule, calling it too strict, especially since they were recently forced to wear school uniforms. These kids are probably wondering what’s next — a hummus ban in the cafeteria? Well, kids… if your parents could have it their way, then probably yes. 
