As spring comes into full bloom, the same seems true for teenage love. As the end of the year looms, more couples seem to be arising.
I cannot seem to walk from one class to the next without seeing a peck, a butt grab or a full-on make out session in the side stairwell. The couples act as if it is a Saturday night and not 9:30 a.m. in the middle of an institution of learning.
As a senior, I spent two-and-a-half years in the old building with the trailers and a year-and-a-half in the new building. While everyone marvels at the square footage of the new facility, public displays of affection (PDA) has become more noticeable between students. During construction, there were many more nooks and hidden areas to sneak in a quick kiss rather than in the middle of the hallway in front of all of your peers.
While I am a firm believer of freedom of expression, there is also common courtesy to those around you. Students are in a place of learning, and while they should respect their peers, they should also respect the teachers. If you would not do it in front of your parents, do not do it in front of your teachers. The worst place to observe this is in the various stairwells around Chamblee; the public displays of affection can be very sickening.
For whatever reason, in the last few months, it seems more and more that couples have sprouted, somewhat, due to prom season. This increase in couples has made it a lot easier for others to see high school students have moments of inappropriate instances of PDA.
While a quick kiss is hard for administration to stop from happening, there should be tougher enforcement of students touching each other. A few weeks ago, I was at my locker and saw a couple basically doing what could be classified as sensually groping , and saw a teacher walk right by. I believe without enforcement, students will not learn the proper etiquette for when they enter the workforce one day. A workplace with PDA like a high school would be sent to human resources immediately. We always rush to grow up, but these encounters are inhibitors to a projection of maturity.
Next time, as you think of stealing a quick kiss or a physical show of affection, please wait until after 3:20. Or maybe actually go on a date?
