Very young children being accused of sexual harassment
April 7, 2008 by ElfNinosMom
ABC News wrote a story about a first grader who was labeled a sexual harasser. Here is an exerpt:
According to the state’s Department of Education, 166 elementary students were suspended in Maryland last year for sexual harassment, including three preschoolers, 16 kindergartners and 22 first-graders. In Virginia, 255 elementary students were suspended for offensive sexual touching last year as well.
Two years ago in Texas, a four-year-old was punished for sexual harassment after a teacher’s aide accused the pre-schooler of pressing his face into her breasts during a hug.
Interesting. When working at a preschool in college I had a 5 year-old pinch my butt and make comments like hey sexy. He did this until I said something to his mom. The 5-yr old had a teenage brother who was apparently daring the little brother to do stuff like this. It took one conversation with the mom to stop this behavior. Was it sexual harrassment? Yes. Did I consider filing charges? No. I went to the mom first. Much more effective.
In Texas there have been children below 2nd grade sent to alternative schools and assigned to sentivie training for trying to kiss another student or making a sexually inapprioprate comment. These kids were first offenders. It is better to attempt to work it out with parents first.
a Four year old being punished for shoving his head in a woman’s chest? How.. pathetic. I would think someone who worked with young children would know that many children become very attached to their mothers through breast feeding and find extreme comfort resting their heads on a woman’s chest. It isn’t sexual. >< ugh.
These kids shouldn’t be punished, they should have someone give them therapy to explain how their behavior is wrong and their PARENTS should be the one to be investigated. More then most of the time the parents are where the kids are learning this from.
Fionax,
As a for a 4 yr old shoving his head into a woman’s chest I have had similar things occur when working with children that age. I prefer to redirect the child. You are right on about the reason’s a 4 yr old would do that.
DH