Public Displays of Affection, or P.D.A., has swept the halls of WA as Valentines Day draws nearer. Students kissing, and hugging each other are seen at every corner of the school. Although I am all for people expressing their love for each other, I also believe that there are certain times where it is inappropriate to touch someone in public.

Westford Academy has many couples in each grade but I found that the class that contains couples demonstrating the most P.D.A. is this year’s freshmen. Mostly in the bell lobby before school or by the stairwells, I have seen many students making out, which is not pleasing to the eye.

I have talked to a variety of students from different classes and about half of them do not like P.D.A. Another third do not care for it and a few people support it. I personally, do not like P.D.A. I am fine if a couple is holding hands and kisses a little bit, but when the kissing turns into making out, I feel uncomfortable, especially in a school setting.

“I think P.D.A. is alright depending on the situation. People should be able to express their feelings without being judged,” said sophomore Karen Corbett.

Nothing is explicitly stated in the student handbook regarding P.D.A. during school hours. However, it is stated that any inappropriate dancing during school dances will result in consequences. One couple I talked to said that most teachers ignored them when they kissed in the halls, although one incident involved a teacher threatening to tell a Dean.

Most people don’t like to watch P.D.A., but are there some couples against executing it? I talked to some couples around the school and received a variety of responses.

“I don’t think we would ever make out in school or any other public place. It seems uncomfortable for us, and the people around,” said a junior couple, who wished to remain anonymous.

There are certain places when no one wants to see a couple showing intense passion for one another. Having the freedom to show affection to someone doesn’t mean that it is always appropriate.