PDA's in schools, although not permitted, are a complicated issue, leading to confusion between two OCHS administrators.
PDA's, or pubic displays of affection, are a variety of behaviors that express affection. Hugs, kisses, hand holding, and lap sitting are just some of the many types of PDA's. All PDA's are banned at school, but OCHS administrators disagree on the finer points of what counts and why.
Alan Stroh said,"It's really hard to give an exact definition of PDA. There are so many gray areas when it comes to this stuff, and everyone interprets things differently. What Bobby Joe and Suzy Q think are appropriate, may not be ok with Johnny and Mary. It just depends on the circumstances and the people involved as to what happens next, or the actions that the school must take from there."
Paul Francisco countered that PDA's usually aren't a huge issue unless it bother's someone, and then that behavior needs to stop. If you're making someone uncomfortable, then you're usually disrupting their learning environment as well. The bottom line is that you just shouldn't do it at school, period.
While both administrators agree that PDA's are strictly forbidden in the classroom, they disagree on where else it should or shouldn't be allowed. Francisco said," It's about how not where you do it. Obviously, there are certain times and places where it might be more appropriate to do that than others."
Stroh countered,"It's not really about when or where but how much and how often. And weather you're being cute and cuddly, or just plain inappropriate. Students have a basic understanding of what's right and wrong, and it's up to the individual(s) involved to make a "right" decision."
With Valentine's Day just having passed, many students felt pretty strongly about this issue. While many kids had a special someone to go home to, many did not, and felt slightly out of place.
Tullia M. said,"Out of school, anywhere really,it's your own business, and if people don't like it, they don't have to look. In certain places it can be inappropriate. You're in school to learn, and you shouldn't feel the need to jump all over each other."
Kevin L. said,"Holding hands is fine, but any prolonged mushy crap isn't ok. A peck on the cheek, but anything more than that creeps me out."
Jack W. said,"I don't mind holding hands, but there's a time and a place for making out. It bothers me sometimes to see people making out. When I'm trying to work, or even just relaxing."
All in all, students at OCHS agreed that the Beatles were indeed right: They do want to hold your hand.
