There is almost nothing worse than walking through the school and having to see couples kissing, hugging, or holding hands in the hallway. PDA is not meant for school hallways, or any public space for that matter. Public displays of affection make everyone uncomfortable, and there are better times and places for that to happen.
The worst part about PDA is that other people must witness it. Walking through the halls and seeing PDA makes me uncomfortable and I know all other high school students feel the same. Although it can seem innocent to the couple, it can turn into something more, and either way, it is not wanted by anyone else around them.
Students engaging in PDA are disrespecting the people around them, which includes classmates, teachers, and administrators. According to a school wide survey from Topeka, Kansas, over 76% of students have seen some form of PDA in their school throughout the year. There are plenty of couples who know not to engage in PDA in school because they know the distraction it causes, and they also know that PDA gives that couple a bad rep.
PDA is difficult for schools to control because it is such an awkward topic. Most schools already have policies and rules against PDA and other inappropriate behavior, but sadly, many students do not follow these rules. Websites such as Debate have put together polls, and their most recent school survey revealed that 79% of people say that PDA should be prohibited in a school setting, whether it be at school or any school related activity, because it distracts from students’ educations and their ability to focus.
PDA policies need to be enforced, and more students need to pay attention to the rules next time they think about engaging in PDA. Although the rules are not enough to completely stop it, they should at least discourage some of this behavior. When comparing the importance of a couple being able to show they are in a relationship versus the distaste of others around them, the distaste is more important, especially in a school setting.
As strongly as I am against PDA, it does not mean I am against couples who hug or kiss. I just believe that there is a time and place for that, and school is not the right time or place. This should be happening on their own time in their own houses, or some other private place where others are not forced to witness it.
PDA is visible for not only peers, but also teachers and administrators. I feel as though most students would be embarrassed having their teacher see them kissing or hugging their significant other, which is why school is not the correct setting for this.
Everyone has different opinions of what is appropriate. High school contains kids that range from ages 14-18. It is very likely that a 14-year-old will have a much different view of what is appropriate compared to an 18-year-old. As a senior, I know that for the most part, seniors do not care much about the opinions of the underclassman and do not base their actions off the freshman. This just worsens the situation and emphasizes why high school is not the right place for PDA to occur.
There is never an example where PDA should be occurring in school. It makes everyone uncomfortable and disrespects the students, teachers, and everyone else around them. There are private places and times where couples can do this, but school, or any school event does not fall into that category. Most schools already prohibit it, and I hope that students soon understand the results of their actions and realize it is time to stop.
References
Bantoto, Roxanne. (2017, September 27). No PDA in Schools. Change.org. www.change.org/p/prof-leonor-m-briones-no-pda-in-schools
Goetze, E. (2019, March 7). Point/Counterpoint: PDA in a school setting. Nordic News. https://nordicnews.net/7832/oped/point-counterpoint-pda-in-a-school-setting/
Rindt, Eris. (2021, September 14). Students Discuss Impact of PDA in School Environment. Railer News. railernews.org/17705/news/students-discuss-impact-of-pda-in-school-environment/
