Love in the hallways
In every high school, you can walk through the hallways and practically smell the teen spirit, hear the passion, and see the young love. But most high school students will attest that seeing these young people expressing their feelings for each other is nothing less than gut wrenching, but is there anything we can do?
A survey was sent out to the populus of Licking Valley High School, and 48.1% of students reported seeing PDA multiple times a day, while only 5.6% of students reported never seeing it, and 23.1% reported that they see it way more than they should. The below graph shows these reportings.
Students all through the high school notice the select couples involved in public displays of affection, and they have mixed feelings about this. One student says, “It's just gross to me. I don't mind when people are holding hands or hugging. I just don't like when I see people sucking face in the middle of the hallway,” when asked how PDA made them feel.
Meanwhile another said, “PDA really doesn't bother me. If someone wants to hug and kiss another person, then that's on them. It shouldn't be up to anyone else what they do. I mean, as long as they aren't like ripping off clothes in the hallway then I just go on about my day as if I never even saw them.”
The views on this issue seemed mixed, but the general consensus is that it has become out of control this year. One of the questions asked, “Do the teachers do anything about PDA when they see it?” and a majority of students report that they don’t do anything.
Two students who felt strongly about this issue reported statements about it. One stated, “Well, it's kinda ridiculous, teachers just see it and laugh. THis problem, needs to be taken care of, take and do that crap outside of school, it's ridiculous it really is. Listen I have a girlfriend, I know what it can be like if you are asked to kiss, but you can still resist. This problems needs to be addressed, immediately. And it's not just kissing, it's feeling to, this problem has been present, and now, just now this survey is coming out, not to be rude, but people need to get with the program, teachers who see it, either need to address it themselves, or address it to [administration], and that's final [sic].”
The other student who felt strongly stated, “I don't enjoy seeing people pretty much having sex in the hallways. Especially seeing [the principal] walk past, look and keep walking without doing anything.”
Because this is the perception of most students, it is clear that this is an issue, and it is not being addressed. It is clear that students are uncomfortable because of the amount of PDA, and it is also clear that staff and administration need to be informed so that the issue can be addressed.
School is a place of learning, and outside school students may do as they please. Therefore, for the 7 hours we are at school a day, it should be possible to keep PDA to a minimum.
