Students especially teenagers are at the age of curiousity. Having a relationship at the opposite sex at the period of immaturity and considered very affectionated. Public Display of Affection or PDA includes physical contact including, but not limited to, intimate touching, hand holding, fondling, cuddling, kissing, etc. at school or a school-sponsored activity between two students typically in a relationship. This type of behavior, while innocent on some levels can quickly evolve into a distraction for the students engaging in the practice, as well as other students who are in close proximity to the doting couple.

PDA is often considered a public profession of how two people feel about one another. Schools typically see this type of behavior as a distraction and inappropriate for a school setting.  Most schools have policies that forbid this type of issue on campus or at school-related functions. Schools typically have a zero-tolerance stance on PDA, because they recognize that even innocent Public Displays of Affection can turn into something more.

Being overly affectionate can be offensive to many people though a couple caught up in the moment may not be aware that their actions are being offensive.  Because of this schools must educate their students on the issue.  Respect is a critical component of character education programs in schools everywhere.  Students who regularly engage in acts of PDA are disrespecting their peers in a sense by subjecting them to witnessing their affection.