Mesa AZ Jr High Declared No-Hug Zone

Okay, now you've read it all. According to a newspaper article, about 400 of 1200 kids surveyed at Shepherd Jr High in Mesa "were concerned about public kissing and hugging in the hall." So apparently the school rolled out a new rule against hugging even though "The rule had been in the student handbook previously." I guess I'd like to see this survey. Was that an open ended question on "What concerns you at our school?" Fill in the blank, with a line after it? Was it multiple choice? (circle all that apply)...

But the best part of the story was a run-down of acceptable displays, copied here for the edification of all. The list of acceptable public displays are:
• Stopping and talking in the halls (but moving to the side to allow others to pass).
• Shaking a friend's hand and patting him on the back in a "man hug"
• Draping an arm around someone's shoulder in a "hook hug"
• Holding hands
• Linking arms
• Hugging no longer than 2 seconds
• Respecting other people's opinions and values

First, I must admit I learned a great deal about hugs and hug names (eg the allowed "man hug" and "hook hug") and I regret that the list doesn't include the leaning in "A-frame hug" for people who don't really like each other, or hugging.
Second, I am curious and dismayed about what "displays of affection" in a junior high led to 400 kids expressing concern and the subsequent hug ban.
Most important, what is going on with these kids and the adults in charge of them? How about a policy that encourages them to make good decisions about their behavior? With a description of acceptable hugs this specific, the administration is surely fostering one kind of critical thinking -- encouraging kids to find loopholes. Maybe this incident will produce a few good trial attorneys out of Shepherd Jr High...
Click here for the original article.