No one in the school is going to tell you that you cannot walk with your significant other, hold their hand or show a quick sign of affection, but there is a big difference between showing affection and having an intense makeout session in the hallway.
When a couple starts making out or aggressively holding each other in the hallway, it is not looked upon as “cute,” rather it leaves people feeling uncomfortable.
School is supposed to be a place of education and connected learning to help students in their future fields. It can also be a place to connect with friends and get to know teachers. Hallways are for walking, not for starring in the next Netflix romance movie. Let’s keep it that way.
According to the National Library of Medicine, studies have concluded that showing affection is a healthy and natural part of any relationship. “Altogether, our data strongly suggest that affectionate touch is a relatively stable characteristic of human romantic relationships that is robustly and reliably related to the degree of reported love between partners.”
Holding hands, giving hugs or a quick kiss goodbye can be sweet and innocent ways to show you care as “touch is the primary way people communicate intimacy in romantic relationships.” With this, displaying affection isn’t bad, it’s just about acknowledging when and where it is appropriate, and school just simply isn’t the place. It is meant to be a space where everyone feels comfortable and can stay focused.
For some students, maintaining a sense of professionalism throughout the school day is important. Excessive displays of affection are inappropriate in this setting, just as no one would act like this with their partner in a workplace where others are trying to focus. School deserves the same level of respect as any professional environment.
Respecting boundaries will make everyone more comfortable. After all, if your relationship is real, it doesn’t need to be proven in front of everyone else. Keep that truth between you and your partner.
Learning to obtain boundaries and maintain self control are skills that can be used way beyond the classroom. Of course, relationships in school can be meaningful, as it is natural at our age to care about someone else and want to show affection, however, showing respect and consideration for others is necessary.
