World Report: October 4, 1996 Vol.2 No.4
- This Issue:
- Table of Contents
- Cover Story
- Cover Story - Spanish Version
- Mini-Lesson
- Comprehension Quiz
- Teacher's Guide and Worksheets
Just Don't Pucker Up
Johnathan Prevette was famous last week, but he didn't enjoy it much. The first-grader from Lexington, North Carolina, found his front yard full of news cameras and reporters. He was on CNN, the Today show and NBC News. How did he get so much attention?
"I kissed a girl on the cheek," Johnathan, 6, told news reporters.
When a teacher saw him kiss that girl, the trouble began. Johnathan was sent away from his class for a whole day. He even missed a school ice-cream party for kids with perfect attendance.
Many people who heard about Johnathan's punishment thought it was too harsh, including his parents. "Johnathan is very friendly and affectionate," said his mother Jackie Prevette. "He doesn't understand why he was punished."
The school's leaders say the teacher did the right thing. "A 6-year-old kissing another 6-year-old is inappropriate behavior," said school-district spokeswoman Jane Martin. Johnathan attends Southwest Elementary, which has a rule against "unwelcome touching of one student by another."
Most grownups say that kids should follow the rules. "Kids must be respectful of other kids' bodies," says Dr. Joseph Hagan, an expert on kids' behavior. "If the kiss was done on a dare, then maybe someone should be punished. But an adult should find out if the kiss was O.K. with both kids and ask them why it happened."
Johnathan says the girl told him he could kiss her. That doesn't mean he's going to do it again anytime soon. He knows what will happen the next time he smooches at school: "I'll get suspended," he says.
Do you think Johnathan's punishment was fair? Should young kids ever be allowed to kiss at school?
