I must be way behind the eight ball on this one but this
news story on touching pregnant woman’s bellies came up on my facebook newsfeed
today. (http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/28/living/parents-illegal-touching-pregnant-belly/) I’m amazed that I missed this running in 2013
because the story coincides with my first pregnancy and the experience I was having
myself.
In brief, the story discusses how one PA woman filed
harassment charges after a random man touched her pregnant belly in the grocery
story. It appeared that the public had
mixed emotions on the subject and the man being charged said he thought that
was a social norm. When has touching
become a social norm? While I appreciate
the miracle of being pregnant and birth, I do not feel it is an invitation to
throw respect for people’s personal space out the window. I question why it is appropriate to touch a
pregnant person’s belly but not some super toned person with 6-pack abs?
They both have interesting mid sections. Because mine is hosting another person it’s
just free game to touch my belly.
However this does make me wonder if there should be something on the
books to deal with this subject directly.
In PA a harassment conviction carries a fine up to $300 and/or up to 90
days in jail. I do think 90 days in jail
is a bit excessive but please respect my person space even if I am taking up
more of it. There are laws on the books
for cyber bullying (its literally the offense right below harassment in the PA
legislature.
Following the same theme, why do people think it’s
acceptable to touch my baby? Why when I’m
in the grocery store do people think its acceptable to reach into my cart and
touch my baby in the baby carrier covered in a blanket. Don’t they realize they are a big ball or
germs? Or simply my CHILD is a person
and not a toy? Are you going to pay for
their health insurance, diapers, formula, clothes ect. If not don’t touch without permission.
With that being said, many of my friends weren’t the biggest fan of my no touching policies. Even my husband had to ask permission. So I wonder do other people share my sentiments or am I in the minority in thinking personal space should apply to pregnant woman as well
