Couples run rampant across campus sharing their love with the student body why should we or shouldn’t we care?
Cesar Chavez High School students and staff alike have noticed the influx of couples across campus and have most certainly noticed their PDAs as countless student couples lovingly walk the halls.
PDA is the public display of affection which can include something as small as holding hands or something as much as kissing as long as it happens in public. ‘Lovebirds’ are becoming more common across the Chavez campus but why? Staff acknowledge both the pros and cons but express frustration with just how bad the cons can be.
“People were lonely during COVID for 4+ years and everyone was away from each other,” said Chavez CSM, Joe, “Now that we are back people are more clingy”
“Dating is a normal high school experience and it’s no problem if done safely and responsibly. However, students need to know that it’s okay to be friendly rather than immediately going to the extreme with PDA.” Mr. Joe states. “It’s a bit of a double-edged sword because, in the same way having a partner can motivate kids to do better & give them a reason to come to school, they can also discourage students from learning.”
Teachers express that they are not opposed to student dating but express concern. Mr. Jimenez states, “High school relationships can be good for students because they learn how to be in a relationship, how to collaborate, compromise and deal with disappointment before it matters.” he explains, “It prepares students for when they can’t make mistakes as easily.”
Jimenez also states, “If you only focus on your relationship and sacrifice your scholarships, GPA, college, and career then what happens when–if that relationship ends? You might have sacrificed a big part of your life for something that wasn’t worth it.”
Even students have become frustrated with PDAs as it’s distracting. A 9th-grade student, Chyane, “When they’re just holding hands or something then it’s fine but when they’re taking up all the space in the hallway and being distracting in class then they cross a line.” she expresses, “This is school. We all came to learn; that this isn’t sexual education.”
A senior couple on campus have even commented saying, “We love PDA because it makes us happy but when I see other PDA couples I feel disgusted.” one of the lovebirds stated. Her boyfriend elaborates, “I just don’t like seeing it.”
Across campus, it seems that the consensus is something that while there’s nothing wrong with dating and small acts of PDA, “Dating is not a need but a privilege.” for students who as Mr. Joe stated.
