Yes, kissing on the lips is generally okay, as long as it's consensual and non-sexual.
According to Dr. Thornhill, as stated in the reference, "As long as it's consensual and non-sexual, there's no problem with kissing on the lips. For many parents or caregivers and their children, lip-kissing is simply a gesture of love, care and closeness."
Here's a breakdown of what makes kissing on the lips acceptable:
- Consent: The most important factor is consent from all parties involved. If someone doesn't want to be kissed on the lips, it should not happen.
- Non-sexual Context: When kissing on the lips is done as an expression of affection, love, or platonic closeness, it's generally accepted. This can be within families, among close friends, or between romantic partners.
It's important to consider the context and the relationship between the people involved. Here are some examples to illustrate:
- Parent-Child Kissing: Lip kissing can be a common way for parents or caregivers to show affection to their children. This is often viewed as a gesture of love and closeness.
- Romantic Partners: Lip kissing is a very common and intimate act between romantic partners to express affection and passion.
- Platonic Relationships: Kissing on the lips among close friends could be part of a culture or specific friendship.
- Unwanted Kiss: If a person feels uncomfortable or doesn't give consent, any kissing is not OK, regardless of context.
In summary, kissing on the lips is deemed okay within the parameters of mutual consent and the intention behind it being non-sexual.
