It’s important to teach children boundaries so that they’re equipped to deal with sexual assault. You teach kids the concept of consent and how to say “No!” and you ask them to tell you if an adult touches them in a way they don’t like. You also make sure they know the names of all the parts of their body.

Then if their uncle or teacher molests them, they’re equipped for the situation. They say no, and afterwards they tell a trusted adult what happened.

Old ladies who don’t respect personal space erode that training. They teach kids that your agency and boundaries don’t matter, that adults know best and it’s no big deal to feel uncomfortable for a few minutes. That might be harmless when it’s their hair, but that lesson helps predators get away scot free, when it’s a child’s genitals or chest. Because kids don’t know the difference between those two things.