Humans show affection in many different ways. There are kisses, hugs, pats on the back, and even high-fives. One controversial parenting columnist and author believes that adults should not high-five kids.
John Rosemond expressed this opinion in an article for the Omaha World-Herald. He argues that because adults and kids are not equal, this behavior is inappropriate. He believes there needs to be a bigger divide between adults and kids.
"I will not slap the upraised palm of a person who is not my peer, and a peer is someone over age 21, emancipated, employed and paying their own way," he wrote. "The high-five is NOT appropriate between doctor and patient, judge and defendant, POTUS and a person not old enough to vote (POTUS and anyone, for that matter), employer and employee, parent and child, grandparent and grandchild."
This is not the first time John has expressed controversial opinions. He has previously stated that he does not believe ADHD is real and that parents should adopt authoritative parenting methods. He "has deliberately positioned himself as a conservative provocateur," Jennifer Huget stated in The Washington Post in 2004.
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John believes that a high-five "is not compatible with respect." If adults engage in that behavior, children will believe they are equal to adults. "The child who is allowed to high-five an adult has tacit permission to talk to said adult as if they are peers," John argued.
Dr. Lisa Lindquist disagrees wholeheartedly with John. "[The high-five] provides a child with a sense of competent achievement and allows them to understand where to direct their efforts during future tasks," she stated. "So please, utilize the occasional congratulatory high-five as you tell your first grader they worked hard to solve the math problems in their workbook this evening."
Watch this video to see how one teacher uses high-fives in her morning routine. John would not approve.
