Acceptable Affection: Brashier’s New PDA Rule
Photo Credit: Mary Alice Schultz
Students show acceptable affection by holding hands
Mary Alice Schultz, Reporter
August 26, 2011
Filed under News
If you took any time to read the school handbook at the beginning of the year, you may have noticed a new rule among Brashier’s normal list. The new rule seems plain and simple- no displays of affection. But what does the Administration mean by this?
“Any touching or closeness that makes me uncomfortable, makes other students uncomfortable, or makes other staff or teachers uncomfortable would be public displays of affection,” explained Assistant Principal Trina Freeman. She also said, “…believe it or not, other students complain that they have to sit and watch those types of things go on…”
Single Sophomore Brittany Gilliland agrees. “I really don’t want to see it [public displays of affection]… I don’t care to see other people’s business… basically, a lot of people don’t want to see everyone else’s deal… I’m one of those people.”
Consequences for breaking this new rule include lunch detentions, parent contact, and attending Saturday School. “I think that’s pretty moderate,” says Gilliland.
But how do couples themselves feel about this new rule?
“I disagree with it,” says Sophomore Kyle Gentry.
“I don’t feel you should get lunch detention for it,” added Gentry’s girlfriend, Taylnne Temple. “Half of the time it’s not even something someone should get in trouble for ’cause I’ve seen people get in trouble for having their arms around each other.”
Yet rules against PDA are becoming more and more common.
“… I feel that where we are in society today, things are more acceptable than they were maybe 15 years ago when I was in high school… the lines are a little bit greyer,” says Freeman, “this age group is just falling into those grey lines.”
Though some may feel that the new rule has its drawbacks, Gilliland said that this rule could make the school’s atmosphere “more respectable”, and Gentry thought that it could make the atmosphere “more professional.”
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dude like no wants to see others make out during school because its gross.
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I think it is good that people keep private. I don’t enjoy watching people make out next to my locker every day. That happened last year, and it was really gross. I don’t see a problem with holding hands or hugging, just nothing intimate PLEASE.
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Personally, i think the rule is unfair. I understand people not wanting to see other students making out but is it seriously so bad for people to just hold hands or sit in the same seat?!?! The rules should only be in effect to a certain degree.
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I agree, except i think that just holding hands or putting your arm around someone shoudln’t be that bad, Anything more than that needs to be done outside of school. Nobody cares to see that, so keep it to yourself.
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i enjoy that kind of activity. Its very nice to see people getting along.
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i agree with Jacob !
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I think that this rule is extremely unfair because this is putting power in students hands. For example, some people are uncomfortable seeing a gay couple; does that mean that guys and girls can hold hands and hug but if there was a gay couple in the school they would get in trouble for it? Believe it or not this has happened on numerous occasions in schools. Please do reply because i would definitely love to read everyone’s thoughts.
Love You All <3
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