Chapter Five: Nonverbal Communication Web Poject
Public Displays of Affection

Home
Public Displays of Affection | Cultural Gestures | Eye Contact and Movement | Sign Language | Facial Displays of Emotion | Front and Back Regions | Posture and Body Positioning | The Handshake

By Charlene Wu

Everybody has witnessed it; some may have even participated. We say, aww at the sight of two cuddling doves, but how do we react when the issue of cuddling concerns our own specie? The topic at hand is public display of affection. The generation known as the Baby Boomers, when in their days of youth and enactment, were the first to dub the latter as PDA. So, what exactly is PDA? Or more appropriately, where does the boundary of public etiquette lie in this manner? First to address is the definition of the matter. Public displays of affection can range anywhere from a whisper to a shout, from a touch of hands to a touch of somewhere else.

eyes3.jpg

PUBLIC DIPLAYS OF AFFECTION
Concerns surfaced in the 2000-2001 school year about the type and frequency of PDA (Public Displays of Affection). A group of students met with the principal to formulate some recommended guidelines, which will appear in the 2001-2002 student handbooks as follows:
[Copyright 2001 Chesapeake Public Schools]

eyes3.jpg

Students should remember that the school campus is a public environment and a public facility. Students and staff members are offended when exposed to certain behaviors.
Students are to refrain from any public display of affection that would offend others. A student committee determined that the following actions are unacceptable:
Kissing on the lips
Sitting on another's lap
Licking
Hugging/holding from behind (front to back)
Consequences may range from a parent contact, detention, suspension, or referral to the Office of Pupil Discipline.




Schools have continuously addressed this controversy. Beginning with middle school and often following through to college, student couples are often seen expression their emotions. Many school newspaper articles publish editorials about PDA, and in the majority of the schools, PDA is directly criticized in the code of conduct manuals.

eyes3.jpg

Public Displays of Affection
Kissing in public is... [317 votes total]


Wonderful (204) 64%
Acceptable (52) 16%
Don't Care (33) 10%
Inappropriate (18) 6%
Disgusting (10) 3%


Want to take a poll? Click on the picture to the right or find this one at: http://vote.pollit.com/webpoll2/120343

On the other hand, PDA has also been discussed in adult circles, among married couples. In articles at the ivillage.com website, PDA is analyzed as a peak into the inner contentment or conflicts in a relationship.

eyes3.jpg

"How do you feel about PDA?" Click on the above question mark to take a vote at: http://redbook.women.com/rb/marriage/features/c0apda61.htm