Public displays of affection are just that: public. But, should the “P” in PDA also stand for punishable?
Students are split over the level of involvement by the administration in cases of PDA.
“One kiss and hug is okay, but not too much,” sophomore Zach Allen said. “I think it will be awkward for administration to butt-in. People get enough scrutiny by fellow students so administration does not need to get involved.”
Most instances of PDA in school occur in the hallways between classes. A couple often embraces, kisses, and lovingly looks at each other in the middle of the hall, frequently blocking others’ paths.
However, each student has their own definition of what PDA is.
“Kissing that lasts longer than a peck,” senior Amanda Halacy said. “Hand-holding is okay. Hugs are okay, but when it goes beyond that, it makes me lose a lot of respect for them because it is immature and gross.”
In regards to the appropriateness of PDA, many students and teachers feel uncomfortable, if not repulsed, when they see it in the hallways.
“There is a big difference between being romantic and flat out sexual in the middle of school,” freshman Adrie Trigo said. “It should definitely not be seen in school.”
However, whether or not PDA is an action punishable by administration is not clear.
“If there’s a rule against it, then they should be able to punish it,” senior Jacqueline Angel said. “But you can’t if there is no rule, even if what they’re doing is obviously inappropriate.”
Yet, defining a rule that would outlaw PDA is more difficult than it would seem.
“If there is a child that has crossed a line from being affectionate to being sexual, should they stop it? Yes,” English teacher Alison Schreck said. “Could they punish it? Probably not. It’s a very gray line to define.”
Nevertheless, there are others who feel that the line of appropriateness regarding PDA is clear cut.
“Administration should get involved depending on the situation,” math teacher Adam Smith said. “It should absolutely not be in school. There is definitely a line that should not be crossed at school. If it is, administration and parents should get involved.”
Some argue that PDA to the extreme does constitute as sexual harassment, but such behavior is not outlined in the SR & R booklet as irresponsible.
“It just falls under general inappropriate conduct,” security specialist Brian Elliot said. “There may be a rule against it, but it is just inappropriate in a public place, whether you’re a kid or adult.”
PDA is sensitive for adults in the building as well. Some teachers have developed their own humorous methods for addressing PDA.
“When I see kids doing that, I won’t stop them,” Schreck said. “But, sometimes I’ll say ‘Don’t stop. Don’t let me interrupt. No, don’t mind me. Who’s winning the game of tonsil hockey?’”
Physics teacher Stephen Scholla is also one to humorously approach disciplinary action.
“What I would like to do is take a picture of the students that are showing affection and email it to their parents with the caption ‘they were caught on love cam,’” Scholla said. “But, since I cannot do that, I just have to tell the students to get to class.”
“Sometimes I try to make a joke just to make light of the situation to try to get them to stop,” Elliot said.
Other administrators confront PDA-ers in a more serious way.
“I do know it’s not allowed,” security assistant Traci Waller said. “At a security level if we see more than excessive hugging and kissing we want to stop it. I don’t know if anyone’s gotten consequences before though. People your age should not want to be seen like that. Girls shouldn’t be seen hugging and kissing a guy. Boys should respect them. It’s all about respect.”