Need help with a problem,we have a female senior member who likes to gives hugs to cadets.What is the best way to approach this matter?Is she breaking any child protection rules?
Has she taken the Level 1 course? If she has, you need to remind her that seniors showing affection is a no-no. Hugging can be taken the wrong way by another cadet, senior, or someone visiting the unit. Of course, be polite about it, but just let her know that it's nothing against her, it's just a rule that no one is exempt from.
Quote from: flydoggy on October 09, 2009, 01:16:00 AM
Need help with a problem,we have a female senior member who likes to gives hugs to cadets.What is the best way to approach this matter?Is she breaking any child protection rules?
No, she is not breaking any rules, cadets are not radioactive and not every touch is a violation, however you should probably advise her that from a CYA standpoint its not a good idea.
It certainly doesn't reflect proper military bearing, either, if that matters.
I would advice her that it's not a good idea. Let her also know that someone could take it the wrong way and cause problems for not only her but CAP as well.
From a cadet stand point, I always found hugs from seniors to cadets weird - in uniform and when not directly related. Nothing wrong with a "nurturing mother figure", but really not the place. Write it off as PDA or inappropriate in uniform/professionalism. But at the same time, do the cadets embrace the hugs or do they think she is weird?
We spend so much time and effort at just about everything that we do emphasizing to cadets that personal relationships should be kept as professional as possible when you are in uniform. This means addressing even your closest family and friends in an appropriate manner.
In a lot of cases they are taught that you don't touch another cadet without asking permission. And all these other delicate educational experiences.
It is hard for them to distinguish being hugged by another member in uniform and flashbacks to their encampment flight sergeant telling them that touching is a no no.
While I agree that cadets are not radioactive, it isn't a good idea on a number of fronts.
I would proceed delicately as huggers are usually more in touch with their feelings than most and will likely take corrective action as an attack, rather than a protective action.
Not to offend anyone, but is she younger or an older aged member? When I was a cadet, we had a female SM who was in her 70's. GREAT person, and she treated us all like we were her grandchildren. Most of us didnt mind, but some of the older cadets took issue with it, because when she would hug the 1st Sgt or the Cadet Commander, it brought snickers from the flight. It sorta took the wind out of the 1st Sgts sails after a good lecture to have a woman walk up and hug him like his mother.
I would say she needs to be gently spoken to about how its not appropriate.
Quote from: Flying Pig on October 09, 2009, 05:31:14 PM
when she would hug the 1st Sgt or the Cadet Commander, it brought snickers from the flight.
Good point there. Not only can it be taken the wrong way by someone who was uncomfortable with actions like theses, but it can create an embarrassing situation for the cadet(s) being hugged. If a cadet feels embarrassed about something, they typically stay away from that situation.