Is it normal to kiss your parents on the lips

The child may start behaving the same way you taught them at home, but outside the family circle — kissing other children or adults on the lips as a way to express sympathy. The psychologist points out that, even if it was an innocent gesture on the part of the parents, children learn things by mimicry. So they might try to repeat the same gesture with others, without realizing the intimate implication of this gesture.

The virus is spread through saliva and infection occurs through contact. Herpes infection — viruses that are considered part of the herpes family include Epstein-Barr, varicella-zoster causes chickenpox and herpes simplex causes cold sores. Herpes simplex virus can be spread through direct contact with the virus when kissing. Herpes is most easily spread to others when the blisters are forming or have erupted. Chickenpox is easily spread from person to person by direct contact, droplets or airborne spread.

Hepatitis B — kissing may also transmit this virus, although blood has higher levels of this virus than saliva. Mucous membranes line various body cavities including the mouth and nose. A person is more likely to be infected when kissing if they have open sores in or around the mouth. Warts — warts in the mouth can be spread through kissing, especially if there are areas of recent trauma. Bacteria that can be transmitted by kissing Examples of bacteria that can be transmitted during kissing include: Meningococcal disease — this is a potentially life-threatening condition which includes meningitis, inflammation of the membranes meninges that surround the brain and spinal cord, and septicaemia.

These bacteria can be spread either through direct contact or via droplets. Studies show that, with respect to kissing, only deep kissing seems to be a risk factor. Keep it in perspective There is no need to give up kissing for the sake of your health and that of your loved ones. Prevention of infection while kissing There are a number of things you can do to reduce the risk of passing on, or catching, an infection while kissing. You should try to: Avoid kissing when you or the other person is sick.

Avoid kissing anyone on the lips when you, or they, have an active cold sore, warts or ulcers around the lips or in the mouth. Maintain good oral hygiene. Cough and sneeze into a hanky if you have a cold. See your doctor about immunisations. European parents also tend to be "looser" with their children, she says.

But, thanks to our puritanical roots, Americans tend to sexualize things that are not inherently sexual, and introduce shame into all sorts of situations where it doesn't belong. Patel says. What happens, sadly, is there's a stigma in our society, and do we want our child to have to deal with that?

Besides, doesn't discouraging people from doing it all together just continue to perpetuate the taboo and make it harder for kids to grasp nuance, and understand that not everyone in the world does everything the same way? When I was a kid, I recognized that many of my friends' parents weren't as affectionate with them as my parents were with me, but I never recall feeling shame about how we operated nor any confusion about boundaries with my friends and classmates.

Perhaps this was because I observed how my parents interacted with others outside of our immediate family. They didn't ever lay smooches on their friends or work colleagues — nor, funnily enough, did they do that with their own parents or siblings. Just as each culture has its norms around kissing, our five-person household was its own subculture with its own norms.

Patel reassures me that's okay. I want families to feel comfortable to do what's best for them within their family dynamic," she explains. With that in mind, hugging and kissing within a family could be used as an opportunity to teach children about consent. Adults can model that public displays of affection are acceptable among those with whom they have close relationships, while also asking those outside of that circle if they're okay being hugged.

And, if someone in that inner circle doesn't feel like being touched at any given time, the adult can model consent by immediately respecting that boundary that was put into place. Then, at the point when kids move beyond the age when they're learning social behavior primarily through observing others — usually about 7 — parents can begin to have developmentally appropriate conversations about consent within the context of hugging and kissing.

Patel says, emphasizing that this is something to teach all kids. Comments Close comments menu. Video link. Close X. Click to scroll back to top of the page Back to top.

By Arti Patel Global News. Posted June 16, am. Updated June 16, pm. View image in full screen.