If you are sleeping beauty, what would you do if a prince kissed you

 “If you are sleeping beauty, what would you do if a prince kissed you?”

 “If you are sleeping beauty, what would you do if a prince kissed you?”

As a school teacher I often ask such questions from my little students, and I remain silent, in order check their mentality.

Parents kiss their children and the children hug their relatives in the daily life, because in some cases saying no in our society is not allowed. This is also taught in our society that in some cases being touched without consent is not ok. 

Most children are even not aware to refuse being touched by someone.

I have seen many children being abused and act accordingly in the class. They feel like sick all the time in class.

Sometimes children react in such a way that tells that something is necessarily wrong. For example if a child flinches when touched then it is like a red flag.

Another example is that, if a child feel’s un-relaxed on patting his head, then this also a symptom of CSA.

As a child educator I especially educate the children in such a way that they could prevent themselves from CSA.

Very young children’s minds are so sharp, that teaching them about the consent and their rights is easy. Children learn by repetition. On complex topics constant reinforcement is crucial.

The system in our school is so creative, that allows to add lessons for the benefit of the children, even beyond the syllabus. This makes the teachers so creative and allows me to incorporate awareness in the children.

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Sleeping beauty is such a tale by which children and teenagers are exposed to repeatedly.

This is so detrimental watching without analyzing and thinking.

Girls are made understand that they have to be a passive recipient, if a price saves them, they will marry him. 

I asked the students to elaborate what they understood from the tale?

A student said, “The message is to protect the kings from the evil fairies.”

Majority of the children gave the answer, “That I will thank the prince and will marry him.”

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The main reason behind such perceptions of the children is that they have not been taught to that they have the right to protect their bodies, and their bodies belong to them. Such discussions on consent in the classroom are much needed.

“What would you do? Students often ask.”

My answer surprises them. “Look if someone dares touching me without any consent, I will beat him up, and will make him run away.”

Few children laugh on my answer and ask me that why should I do such a thing?

Then I show them this picture, to make them understand.

“WHOA, excuse me, which part of my body showed the consent to you”.

They get the point watching this.

I also tell them that they have the right to ask for protection against anyone who doesn’t respect their physical space.

As a concluding activity, we brainstorm phrases that the children can easily learn and repeat. We finish with a slogan like ‘My body belongs to me and I get to decide who can touch it!’ and then take an oath to respect other people’s rights, since rights can’t exist without collective responsibilities.

In this way I show them that they have the power to choose and refuse. No one should dare touching them without their consent.

I also teach them that they can get the protection against those who doesn’t respect their physical appearance.

And finally we end up with the slogan that “My body belongs to me and no one has the right to act against my consent.”  With the commitment that I will respect everyone around me and hope to get respect from the others also.