High school students: a little too friendly

Bellowing laughter heard from miles away. Cheeks bursting with red. Electric currents running through your fingertips. Cherry flavored lip balm. The memories of young love invade our hearts much more than we realize. Young love is the beginning of every relationship ever to take place in a person’s life. Falling in love is definitely something to celebrate and tell to the entire world, but when is the line crossed? Public displays of affection have become an issue in high schools all across America according to many administrators and articles about teen love online.

Love is beautiful. I think everyone can agree with that. But when 14-year-old kids are standing in the hallways of their local high schools “expressing all of their love” to one another, it is quite uncomfortable and inappropriate. No one wants to see all that a couple has going on. Full on making-out and groping in the middle of a public learning facility is not even remotely okay.

Yes, it is perfectly fine to greet or say goodbye to a loved one with a small, simple kiss. It is fine to hold hands and giggle in the hallways. It is fine to hug someone and “I love you” every once in a while. But after every 45 minute class period the same couple is found “getting down” in the hallway. It is not very settling. It is especially not appropriate when surrounded by peers and older members of society who are there to do their job and learn. People do not come to school to see a romantic love scene that could be found in an overdramatic chick flick.

Too much PDA can result in much more than a student may think. First of all, most high schools nowadays have a policy against excessive PDA. A student could face various punishments such as detention and ISS, or in extreme cases, suspension. Second of all, when students perform such acts in front of a crowd of people, it gives them a bad reputation. People start to wonder what is going on behind closed doors if you are doing everything but full on sexual intercourse in front of everyone. That is how rumors get started. PDA rules and regulations should always be followed, not because the school administration is hateful, but because it is beneficial.

PDA rules and regulations should also be more clearly advertised. School staff should take the time to explain to students, in a polite manner, the negativity they get out of performing very visual PDA. Explain what is and is not okay to do in public; students will have a better idea and know what they should and should not do. If we’re lucky, they might actually follow these rules with their new understanding of morals.

Helping students be aware of what they should and should not do when it comes to PDA, politely, could very much benefit them. Express love to whomever you wish. Sing it loud, be proud, let the world know you are having a heart attack from the amount love invading your body! Just do it appropriately, in the right place, and at the right time.