What they teach the robots in Graduate School
I was at a retreat a few weeks ago in preparation for a study abroad program. The program director was going over what we should expect while abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico this summer. She was talking about the service sites and how some of us will be tutoring small children.
“They may come up to you on the last day” she explained, “and stand really close to you.”
“What do they want?”, one participant asked.
“They want a hug,” said the director. “It’s okay to give them a hug goodbye.”
Are we all that disconnected from our humanity that we need this explained to us, I thought.
Someone in the group raised their hand and said, “Um, I really don’t feel comfortable hugging the children. Can I work with adults?”
I got my answer. I guess we are.
This point was further driven home in my Counseling class. We were going over effective techniques for counseling. Our teacher recommended that we try being genuine. As a technique! I was ready to melt into my chair as I watched a few of my classmates write it down.
What are we turning into here? Make it stop!
“They may come up to you on the last day” she explained, “and stand really close to you.”
“What do they want?”, one participant asked.
“They want a hug,” said the director. “It’s okay to give them a hug goodbye.”
Are we all that disconnected from our humanity that we need this explained to us, I thought.
Someone in the group raised their hand and said, “Um, I really don’t feel comfortable hugging the children. Can I work with adults?”
I got my answer. I guess we are.
This point was further driven home in my Counseling class. We were going over effective techniques for counseling. Our teacher recommended that we try being genuine. As a technique! I was ready to melt into my chair as I watched a few of my classmates write it down.
What are we turning into here? Make it stop!