The public display of affection in the halls has become ridiculous. Recently, I have found it almost impossible just to walk to class without seeing people sticking their tongues down someone’s throat.

I don’t mean to be so graphic, but I feel I must be completely honest to accurately convey a typical day walking to class.

It’s time to deck the halls with boughs of holly, not students displaying there affection for one another.

Over these past few years of high school, I have noticed PDA becomes worse around the holidays.

People want to spend the cold weather cuddled up to someone special, which is completely understandable. But when it comes to the learning environment a line needs to be drawn.

Holding hands and giving a quick hug before class in my eyes is totally acceptable. These are small gestures of affection that could also be shared between two friends.

The long, lingering hugs and kissing is when the PDA becomes a problem. There is a reason the halls are not decked with mistole; kissing is not meant for the hallways.

I have the right to not have to view couples showing their affection in a “supervised” environment when I am minding my own business on my way to class.

I don’t understand students’ need to display such affection. They are going to see each other after class or the next day, so the hour-long hug is extremely unnecessary. I have had a boyfriend around the holidays, and I never felt the need to display such affection during school.

This problem must be stopped. Every student should feel comfortable while walking through the halls.

There are two ways we can stop this problem. Students need to take personal responsibility. They need to remember how their actions are perceived by their fellow students. These displays may not seem like a big deal to them, but we are members of a community and keeping others in mind is called consideration.

Some students undermine the level of discomfort PDA causes certain students. Even if it makes just a few students uncomfortable it is worth evaluating how to improve the problem.

Another way to stop this problem is the administration and teachers.  On multiple occasions, I have seen teachers ignore what is happening right outside of their doors. Teachers have the power to control this problem, and they should take the opportunity to take control of the school.

I’m not saying teachers should repeat what happend a few years back. Teachers had lifeguard whistles and blew them at students when they noticed displays of affection. On top of that, they would take pictures of students while they were with their significant other and send pictures to the students’ parents. 

The faculty were proving a point, but going to this extreme level makes it seem more like a joke than a lesson.

Teachers simply telling students to move along and keep PDA to a minimum would be much more effective.

That being said, there should be a happy medium. I do not think in any way teachers should start cracking down on all types of PDA is realistic or a beneficial way to really control the problem.

Anything beyond a quick hug or kiss on the cheek should be broken up by a teacher. Understandably, this exchange could be awkward for teachers, but a simple “Okay, that’s enough” could be effective.

Once this problem is under control, everyone will feel more comfortable while walking in the halls and no longer feel the need to dodge their eyes from obnoxious displays of affections.

After all, ’tis the season to be jolly not inappropriately displaying affection.