A mother has hit out at a hospital worker after he told her four-year-old daughter that a boy only hit at her school - because he likes her. 

The woman Merritt Smith, who lives in the US, wrote a Facebook post condemning the hospital receptionist's statement.

The post has been become a viral hit on Facebook since it was made public on October 6.

In the statement, the woman says: "I bet he likes you."
"Dear man at the registration desk at Nationwide Children's hospital, l'm positive that you didn't think that statement through.

"As soon as I heard it I knew that is where it begins. That statement is where the idea that hurting is flirting begins to set a tone for what is acceptable behaviour.

"My four-year-old knows, "That's not how we show we like someone. That was not a good choice."


"In that moment, hurt and in a new place, worried about perhaps getting a shot or stitches you were a person we needed to help us and your words of comfort conveyed a message that someone who likes you might hurt you.

"No. I will not allow that message to be ok. I will not allow it to be louder than, "That's not how we show we like each other."

"At that desk you are in a position of influence, whether you realize it or not. You thought you were making the moment lighter. It is time to take responsibility for the messages we as a society give our children.

"Do Not tell my 4-year-old who needs stitches from a boy at school hitting her "I bet he likes you." NO."

Glasgow Times:

 

Facebook users shared the post in their thousands and commented that they agreed with Merritt. 

Shauna Roszman Flores said: "Shout it Merritt Smith! That's a terrible and dangerous mentality to breed and a horrible thing to say to a tiny kid."

Facebook user Brian O'Neill, however, said: "This is a very powerful post. I don't think that the person at the hospital meant harm but the fact is that stereotype about the boy who likes the girl pulling her pigtails has got to go.

"The parents of the boy who did this needs to tell their son that this is not how one shows that they like someone. And you are correct for pointing it out to your child."