Sometimes, love doesn’t need words. It just needs arms. Hugs may seem small, but according to science, this small act of warmth and affection has the profound power to create the emotional foundation and brain architecture on which resilience, social behaviour, and lifelong well-being are built for growing children.
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 November 2025) – What if something as simple (and significant) as a hug had the power to overcome the socioeconomic disparities experienced in many communities, placing the youngest lives in risky and harmful situations?
On this year’s National Children’s Day (1 November), Girls and Boys Town South Africa (GBTSA) called on caregivers, parents and communities to remember the profound importance of a simple hug, a gesture that signals safety, belonging and love for every child.
Every year, National Children’s Day is observed on the first Saturday of November as a day to highlight progress being made towards the realisation and promotion of the rights of children in South Africa.
Following its recent Hug campaign, which focused on the deeper meaning behind appropriate physical connection, GBTSA reaffirms that while policy and services are vital, everyday expressions of care play a key role in a child’s sense of self and development.
Hugs Matter
“Hugs may seem small, but they speak loudly,” says Karen Farred, CEO of GBTSA.
“When we wrap a child in our arms, we are telling them: ‘You matter. You are safe. You are loved.’”
Research shows that hugs are more than just emotional expressions; they are biological necessities which help reduce stress and strengthen the immune system. Meanwhile, developmental researchers have found that a 20-second hug can increase levels of oxytocin, the “bonding hormone,” which in turn lowers heart rate and blood pressure.
In children, the impact is even greater. A 2023 report from UNICEF advises that early caring physical affection improves emotional resilience, brain development and social behaviour among children. Babies and young children who receive frequent affectionate touch are more likely to grow into confident, empathetic adults.
“Responding to a young child’s cues with affectionate, stimulating interactions such as cuddling, talking, singing, reading and playing together, creates the emotional foundation and brain-architecture on which resilience, social behaviour and life-long well-being are built,” UNICEF states.
Farred emphasises that children are not just there to grow up into future adults.
“They are our present, and when we choose to give love freely, we help raise a generation that knows how to give it back,” says Farred.
Building a Stronger Nation from the Inside Out
GBTSA’s vision is to foster a South Africa where every child is seen, valued and supported to thrive. Programmes for neglected or abused young people are not sufficient. Daily acts of kindness should be rooted in this moment of national reflection.
The organisation therefore encourages every South African to pause and give a hug to a child in their life, and just as importantly, to recognise the many children who may not receive that hug today. Because sometimes, love doesn’t need words. It just needs arms – and consciousness.
Sources: Supplied
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