Psychologists have uncovered the danger of imposed intimacy between parents and children

Kissing on the lips between parents and children does not have strict age restrictions, but as they grow up, it is important to take into account the personal boundaries of the child and his willingness to such a manifestation of intimacy. All the details are in the Izvestia article.

Age standards and personal boundaries

Doctor of Psychological Sciences Dmitry Yagudin noted that there are no strict age standards for kissing on the lips. In early childhood, such displays of affection are natural, but as children grow older, they usually begin to prefer hugs or kisses on the cheek. It is important to respect this natural process and not impose uncomfortable forms of intimacy on the child in order to satisfy the emotional needs of adults.

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Respect for bodily boundaries creates a child's sense of security and autonomy. If adults ignore signals of discomfort, the child can learn to suppress his feelings for the sake of the approval of others. According to experts, love should take into account the interests of both sides, and the parent's ability to calmly accept rejection without resentment is a sign of healthy attachment.

Features of adolescence

Psychologist Oksana Koryakina pointed out that in adolescence, the formation of one's own identity and psychological separation from parents occur. During this period, the child begins to realize his body as belonging only to him. Kissing on the lips refers to intimate forms of contact, so teenagers tend to avoid them, choosing more adult behaviors.

If parents insist on such intimacy or demonstrate it publicly, it can make the child psychologically vulnerable. Public gestures often become part of the image that an adult creates, while a teenager finds himself in a dependent position and is not always free to refuse to participate in the demonstration of family intimacy.

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Consequences of border violations

Systematically ignoring a child's right to say "no" can lead to difficulties in adulthood. According to Koryakina, such people often have difficulty recognizing their own boundaries, feel guilty when rejecting other people, and strive to please everyone. The problem lies not in the act of kissing itself, but in reinforcing the belief that the child's body is accessible to an adult regardless of his desire.

Breaking physical boundaries is often accompanied by interference with the child's emotional world, such as reading correspondence or entering a room without knocking. In therapy, such adults have to reconnect with their own feelings and learn to withstand feelings of guilt while protecting their interests. Experts call the recognition of one's right to physical and emotional autonomy the first step towards recovery.