PDA-wesome of PDA-wful
Have you ever been cruising down the English hall, airpods playing Good Days by SZA? Sounds peaceful right? Wrong. Suddenly, as you turn into the stairwell you witness some pretty intense PDA: a couple pressed against the railway making out, staring into your eyes, and not stopping-- even after your mouth drops and you retreat in the opposite direction. Unfortunately, this happened to me, and I don’t wish it on my worst enemy. However, this is not a secluded experience. PDA seems to haunt most of our school, whether it’s the stairwells, hallways, or lunchroom. But why are people so comfortable displaying PDA, even in a building filled with adults and their peers?
PDA, or public display of affection, is any act of intimacy a couple conducts while in the view of others. Ranging from holding hands to kissing, PDA can look different. For example, it can be a married couple walking down the Bluff holding hands, or two freshmen sitting on each other's lap in the lunchroom. Although PDA can make onlookers uncomfortable, it can show that a couple is secure in their relationship. On the other hand, it can also show that they’re insecure in their relationship, as they use PDA to compensate for their lack of affection and as a sign to onlookers that they are a secure couple. However, especially with teens, PDA could be a sign that the couple rarely gets to hang out alone, so they compromise with the time they have together in public. Or, it can be just the opposite. Afterall, the saying “if they do that in public, imagine what they do in private,” can be very real.
Out of 62 Wind-Up Survey responses, 47 students replied saying they don’t participate in PDA, 12 said they might, and only 3 said they do. But when asked if they've witnessed an unsettling act of public affection, 37 of 58 responses said yes and 21 said no; no matter how “sweet” PDA may seem, it’s very controversial and can make onlookers uncomfortable-- particularly in a school setting.
“Sophomore year, no need to name drop, there were people who would hug and kiss during lunch; it was just pretty uncomfortable,” Robby Cleveland, 12, said. That being said, Robby identifies with the people who think displays of affection are better kept private: “PDA shouldn’t be happening. It’s gross. I don’t like it,” he said. However, Robby believes that if used for humor, a public act of affection is acceptable.
“I could see myself participating in it as a joke, it could be kind of funny,” he said. “Enough to make other people uncomfortable. I feel like holding hands doesn’t get to the extent, but if you're around a bunch of senior citizens you could take it a little farther,” Robby added.
On the other hand, Clara Berry, 12, who is currently a part of a four year relationship, believes public displays of affection are acceptable in certain cases.
“I totally understand that PDA can be icky in school for sure, but I personally believe that PDA is and can be respectful in a school environment and beneficial to those involved. Like for example, Sam and I are super busy people and we’re lucky if we get to go to breakfast together on the weekends, so sharing a hug before a class or holding hands in the hallway might be the only quality time that we get to have together all week,” she said.
Additionally Clara believes that the overall negative connotation PDA has needs to change:
“I think the stigma surrounding respectful PDA can be brought down if we all just learn to show a little empathy for other situations and relationships and just gain some general maturity surrounding the situation,” Clara closed with.
PDA is definitely controversial, and ranges from sweet hand holding, to what can be unsettling nuzzling: however, it seems like it’s up to a couple to decide whether it’s appropriate or not. Yet, if you don’t want to come across a couple making out, avoid the school’s staircase.