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A kiss is a manifestation of lásky not only between lovers but also within the family circle. Kissing a child on the mouth does not seem wrong to parents and acquaintances, but many people condemn it. When David Beckham posted a photo on his Instagram of him kissing his daughter on the lips, a wave of criticism erupted. Although this seemingly innocent gesture is considered normal, a psychologist warns of possible negative consequences for the child.
Victim syndrome
Psychologist Charlotte Řeznická claims that the lips are a child’s personal boundary. So even an innocent kiss on the lips figuratively “unlocks” this area and the child then internalizes that such behavior is normal. They may start to use kissing on the lips outside the family circle as well, giving kisses on the lips to both adults and children and perceiving it as a normal thing. Similar behaviors include force-feeding or aggressive tickling; this can trigger the so-called victim syndrome in your child. Children will not know how to set boundaries and will be unable to say no to such behavior.
Diseases
Another risk is bacteria that are easily transmitted by saliva. An adult may not notice any changes in their health, but certain illnesses or bacteria can be dangerous for a child. What may not pose a risk to adults can be harmful to children because they have a much weaker organism that these bacteria can seriously damage. To prevent these risks, it is recommended that parents kiss the child on the cheek or forehead.
