Public Display of Affection in schools

[Velocity]

Well, it's easier to ban all forms of PDA than to stipulate you can do this, you can't do that, and hope to cover everything. Schools are just doing their best to try to head off problems.
Many teenagers are full of hormones and drama and little self control or consideration of consequences. Locally, a fight over a boy escalated until one girl put a dead possum on the windshield of her rival's car.

 

[Amaris]

Well, it's easier to ban all forms of PDA than to stipulate you can do this, you can't do that, and hope to cover everything. Schools are just doing their best to try to head off problems.
Many teenagers are full of hormones and drama and little self control or consideration of consequences. Locally, a fight over a boy escalated until one girl put a dead possum on the windshield of her rival's car.

At the same time, I helped teach after school classes, was a teacher's assistant, held prayer meetings before school twice a week, and often shared my lunch money with other students who had nothing to eat. I had no sexual encounters while in school, even though my hormones were most assuredly raging. Punish all to punish one is a poor system, and very lazy in its application. It requires no thought, no effort, just mindless enforcement.

 

[Velocity]

Hardly seems like punishment anymore than a dress code is punishment, though.

 

[Amaris]

Hardly seems like punishment anymore than a dress code is punishment, though.

It's a world of difference. Saying "you can't wear this color shirt," is not the same as "he/she can't touch you in any way, even with your express permission, whether out of kindness, or comfort."
One is about regulating the dress code, the other is about regulating the innate human desire for contact with other humans.

Shirts can be replaced, emotions can't.

 

[BillJ]

It's a world of difference. Saying "you can't wear this color shirt," is not the same as "he/she can't touch you in any way, even with your express permission, whether out of kindness, or comfort."
One is about regulating the dress code, the other is about regulating the innate human desire for contact with other humans.

Problem being, that innate human desire can easily get out of control. It is a tough problem.

 

[Amaris]

Problem being, that innate human desire can easily get out of control. It is a tough problem.

It can be a problem if not approached with the proper mindset. Zero tolerance policies rarely do anything other than aggravate an already frustrating issue. Innate human desire can get out of control, and that's why rules exist, but outright denying some of those elements of humanity to get through is just as foolish as stepping up and allowing a free-for-all.

 

[TrickyDickie]

I would set reasonable parameters and make it clear that any person who overstepped the boundaries would no longer be allowed the basics.

By banning EVERYTHING, it basically makes everyone guilty with not even an opportunity to establish/prove innocence.

That sets a bad example for very impressionable young minds and can lead to all kinds of problems in many areas of life.

 

[MANT!]

Well lets see, things that would end up getting you sent to the principal's office when I was in high school will get you arrested today. Big Brother is alive and well in the US school system.

 

[Peach Wookiee]

People bemoan how isolated our kids are becoming and wrapped in their phones...
All they have to do is look at policies like these to see why it's so. At the preschool I teach at, we allow our kids to show affection within reason. I think it's good.

 

[Jedi_Master]

Yeah, I have a hard time seeing how a complete PDA ban would be practical or enforceable.

 

[Doom Shepherd]

I wonder how many of these PDA relationships started out as unsolicited admiration and are therefore inherently wrong and bad. This is school, after all, and you know who has cooties.

 

[Kor]

When I was in middle school, I saw a boy and girl entwined in a passionate embrace with lips locked together for a really, really long time. I think that's a bit much for school.

Kor

 

[Kemaiku]

When I was in middle school, I saw a boy and girl entwined in a passionate embrace with lips locked together for a really, really long time. I think that's a bit much for school.

Kor

You certainly seemed to have enjoyed it, watching it for so long like that.

 

[Kor]

You certainly seemed to have enjoyed it, watching it for so long like that.

It was more like watching a train wreck out of morbid curiosity, as most of us thought that only grown ups were "supposed to do that." It was similar when kids were brazen about smoking.

Kor

 

[Amaris]

Some kids learn early.

 

[Mr Awe]

"Sometimes people can't show that affection in more appropriate settings. Sometimes the only opportunity some kids had to connect with people who were their peers was while they were at school."

Schools for learning. Much like work is for work. If you can't make that fit within your life then that is your propblem not school or work.

Wow, what a dull outlook on life! I fondly remember some PDAs back in school. Made it a bit more exciting! Go ahead and live a little. Keep in mind the expression, you don't regret the things you did, you regret the things you didn't do. Definitely true.

Mr Awe

 

[Dr Brahms]

I work in a high school (UK) and we have no specific rules regarding PDA but staff have to make a sensible judgement call if a couple are getting a bit too steamy. Usually its ok for hand holding and hugs, quick kisses etc during break times. I find our pupils are fairly sensible anyway and tend to know where to draw the line. I'm not a prude but I do feel that there has to be a certain standard of behaviour in schools. After all, we are supposed to be preparing the kids for adult life and you wouldnt sit around snogging in the office ( or any work place ).

 

[USS Triumphant]

We had rules against pretty much any and all PDA when I was in high school - but exceptions seemed to be made for the chorus teacher and one of the science teachers (they were married) and for my wife and I (we were married the summer before senior year, and we didn't get carried away). None of the other students ever tried to use us as a "they get to do that, so we should, too" sort of thing. I guess they knew the response would have something to do with rings and vows.

you wouldnt sit around snogging in the office ( or any work place ).

I work at kissing booths at county fairs.

 

[Kai "the spy"]

After all, we are supposed to be preparing the kids for adult life and you wouldnt sit around snogging in the office ( or any work place ).

Why not, if your on break?!

 

[Kor]

At a place where I used to work, a maintenance guy and a housekeeping lady got in trouble for making out in a janitor's closet. One of them got in worse trouble than the other; I can't remember which. And I'm not sure if they were on break or not.

Kor