Trending Now - Viral Meme About Kids And Consent Is Causing A Lot Of Controversy

Telling your child to hug or kiss a family friend or relative might seem like an innocent thing to do, but as this controversial meme points out, it could actually be giving your kids a dangerous message about the rules of consent.

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“I am 5,” reads the meme’s message. “My body is my body. Don’t force me to kiss or hug.” It was posted on A Might Girl’s Facebook page alongside excerpts from an article titled “I don’t own my child’s body,” written by CNN writer and producer Katia Hetter. In it she argues that encouraging children to submit to unwanted affection is actually teaching them that their bodies do not belong to them, and that forcing them to touch people they don’t want to could actually leave them vulnerable to sexual abusers. The post has since been liked more than 88k times and shared by over 162k people. It’s also started a dialogue on what parents should and shouldn’t be teaching their children. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

More info: Facebook (h/t: 22words)

This controversial meme has gone viral for its important message about children and consent

The meme was posted on A Mighty Girl’s Facebook page and included excerpts from an article written for CNN

The article, which was written by writer and producer Katia Hetter, is titled “I don’t own my child’s body”

In it she argues that forcing kids to show unwanted affection is teaching them that their bodies don’t belong to them, which could leave them vulnerable to abuse

The meme has started a dialogue about children and consent

A number of people agreed with the post and shared their own opinions and stories

Other people had different opinions however

And some shared their belief in the “hug, handshake or high five” option. What do you think?