I think it was probably innocent, too. Kids that young don't really think of touching each other, or each other's clothing, as something bad - and he probably had no bad intention. I think schools overreact, or react too soon, out of fear of some law suit or something. Our society today has made schools paranoid - teenage girls can't even have a Tylenol in her purse for "monthly" cramps, because if she gets caught with it, it goes on her permnant record under the "zero tolerance" rule!
When my daughter, (now a teenager) was in kindergarten at a private school, the kids were having a "splash day", where they all wore their swimsuits and played in sprinklers and wading pools. They were sitting on the sidewalk outside waiting for the teachers to get things set up, and my daughter & the little boy next to her were sitting facing each other, talking. His swimsuit was up a little too far in the front and something was sort of showing - out far enough that she didn't realize it was part of him, so she reached to pick it up and said "what's that?". One of the teachers saw, so they had to write an incident report to give to me and the other mom, but we all had a good chuckle about it, because she really didn't even know what it was, or that it was attached, or that boys have anything different than what girls have. I had to talk to her and explain about boys physical parts. I hadn't really thought it was time for that explanation yet, but because of that experience, it was time! They are so innocent at that age, and we are forced to make them aware of things so early in life now because everyone is always screaming sexual harassment - sometimes for good reason, but often it is over nothing! I know it happens, but sometimes it is honestly innocent and harmless. Fortunately in our case, the other mother and the teachers were all understanding - we were all in the same boat - the kids were young and had no idea - and no sexual harassment was taking place. I can imagine if that happened in a public school today, my daughter might have been in some trouble! Innocence is taken away so young these days!
lostfaith said:
Well, NONE of us know EXACTLY what happened here. From my experience raising 3 boys, at that age sex was the farthest thing from their mind. I'm betting it is the farthest thing from this little boys mind also. I am betting it was an innocent thing.
I fear the only thing this little boy will learn from this is to be extremely paranoid of touching anyone, and grow up with a warped view on sex. Imagine being accused of this at his age. It will probably traumatize him for life. Now he prob. will turn into some kind of rapist or wierdo.
I wouldnt want to send him back to that school either. Everyone knows. That poor little boy!
I think it is pretty sad now days. My son's teacher from a few years ago told me that the teachers in the school he goes to are warned against even hugging the younger kids now days. Sad, sad, sad!!
