A row over political correctness erupted as the The Girl Scouts of America warned parents not to encourage their daughters to hug relatives who give them presents at Christmas.

The organisation suggested that, if young girls were told to hug aunts and uncles, they might later in life feel they "owed" physical affection to someone who bought them dinner.

One expert accused the group, which has 1.8 million members, of risking "a mass hysteria about physical contact with loved ones".

The Girl Scouts' advice to parents was titled "Reminder: She Doesn’t Owe Anyone a Hug. Not Even at the Holidays".

It was was issued partly in response to revelations and allegations about sexual misconduct by a series of high profile men in politics, entertainment, and the media.

Instead of hugs it suggested parents should tell their daughters they could thank relatives with a smile or an air kiss.

In a statement the organisation said: "Think of it this way - telling your child that she owes someone a hug either just because she hasn’t seen this person in a while, or because they gave her a gift, can set the stage for her questioning whether she 'owes' another person any type of physical affection when they have bought her dinner, or done something else seemingly nice, for her later in life."