CHAPTER 1

The Problem and its Background

Human beings are creatures of affection and emotions. This is what

separates us from animals which operate by instinct. Human beings express

emotions through the care and affection they give to their love ones and friends.

The expression of affection which to most people is known by the term public

display of affection is however defined by parameters of culture and norms.

(Chavez, 2006)

Public display of affection is common in most cultures in the world and is

seen even in educational institutions. The level to which they occur can be

dramatically different according to a culture. However, these exhibitions are not

met with much pleasure from the surroundings. It seems to be everywhere while

you are eating lunch, while trying to open your locker even when you are just

strolling down the hall; couples appear as kissing on the lips, sitting on another's

lap, necking and hugging. Students who engage in public display of affection

have been problematic for school administrators and parents. Experts say anti-

PDA policies have existed for nearly two decades, although it is not known how

many schools have imposed such rules. They should remember that the school

campus is a public environment and a public facility. They have continuously

addressed this controversy beginning with middle and often following through to
college. (Regan, Narvaez and Johnson, 2003)

Public display of affection can be quite good, but most of the time it makes

other people incredibly uncomfortable. Let us first define the issue. Public display

of affection is the expression of feelings and emotions in open places. Though it

really depends on the upbringing of the two people getting intimate out in the

open, it varies from culture to culture. Some people will view it as if it is the most

normal thing in the world, while others will feel completely and offended by it.

Being subtle of your display of affection can be romantic and even cute while

vulgar exhibition is just downright nasty. When two people start to express their

feelings in public, it is a good sign that these two couples are learning to trust

their relationship, thus they become comfortable enough to let the whole world

know that they are together. (Routasalo, 2001)

Public display of affection or PDA can sometimes get out of hand. Many

do not mind being around a couple holding hands in public especially areas

where there are children. PDA is witnessed in various manners and frequencies

throughout different parts of the world. A method of communication for people in

romantic relationships, showing of affection can demonstrate deep emotion to a

partner and people who witness them. Ranging from a pat on the shoulder or

lingering handshake to the more extreme deep kisses and groping, public display

of affection can signify a temporary fling or long-lasting relationship.

Holy Cross of Davao College is a Catholic school and students are

 expected to follow the rules promulgated by the institution. It is indicated in

the vision-mission statement that Holy Crossians are:

Persons who live Christ-like life and who are

conscious of their preciousness, dignity and
potentials;
Filipinos who value, enhance and impart Filipino
socio-cultural and spiritual heritage;
Leaders who are effective agents of change and who
reach out to others.

It would be indecent to see students engaging in public display of affection

and it would also create a malicious image of the school. This study is beneficial

to the students of Holy Cross of Davao College who want to uphold the Catholic

teachings provided by the institution. Furthermore, the learning that they have

gathered during their stay in an institution providing a Christian-life like will be

applied as they become a productive individual. The researchers see that this

study will empower the students to act in a proper manner especially when they

are inside the school premises. In addition, it also gives a better understanding

about the reasons why students engaging in PDA act such inappropriate

behavior. Moreover, this study widens one’s perception and avoids prejudices to

students who are capable of doing such manner. (Chavez, 2006)

Objectives of the Study

Holy Cross of Davao College is catholic community. Which the

researchers conducted this study with these following objectives:

1. To minimized the rampant public display of affection in Holy

Cross of Davao College.

2. To determine what are the reasons why some students employed

in public display of affection.

3. To help the school administration as well as the president to

implement a rule to prohibit the students who are exposed in public

display of affection.
Statement of the Problem

This study explored the perceptions of college students about public

display of affection (PDA) within the campus of Holy Cross of Davao College.

The study determined the level of awareness, causes and effects of Public

Display of Affection (PDA) among students as perceived by them.

It further sought to answer the following questions:

1. How is Public Display of Affection (PDA) perceived by HCDC students?

2. To what extent is Public Display of Affection engaged in by HCDC

students in terms of the following common forms:

2.1 Touch

2.2 Kissing

2.3 Hugging

2.4 Holding hands

2.5 Massaging his backside

2.6 Necking

2.7 Petting

3. What are the reasons given by HCDC student when they engage in

PDA according to the following?

3.1 Family

3.2 Peer Pressure

 3.3 Friends

Significance of the Study

The purpose of this study is to determine the prevalence of PDA’s—

rampant displays of affection in places where there are no expectation of privacy

such as inside the campus of Holy Cross of Davao College. Moreover, this

research enables the reader to be more appreciative and sensitive to the

different behaviors of the people engaging in PDA. And, thus will help the school

administration as well as the President to implement a rule to prohibit the

students who are exposed in Public display of affection.

Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This research dealt only on the perception of the students about PDA or

Public Display of Affection. In line with this, the respondents of this study are the

AB students of Holy Cross of Davao College. Other topics may be included only

if they are needed upon gathering information of PDA.

Definitions of Terms

The following terms are defined in the context of their use in the study:

A-Frame-Brief hug. A kind of hug where it communicates polite caring or detached

warmth.

Affection. This word means a tender feeling toward another; fondness, "an emotion of the

mind, passion, lust as opposed to reason.

Cuddling. A prolong hugging in a cozy comfortable position.

Cheek Hug. A tender hug that can be executed through sitting or

standing.

French Kissing. A French kiss is a kiss, usually romantic or sexual in nature, in

which one participant's tongue touches the other's tongue and usually enters his

or her mouth.

Group hugs. A form of hug in which communicate support, security, affection and

universal sense of belongingness.

Holding Hands. It strengthens the invisible bond between man and woman.

Hugging. This term indicates a physical movement described as to clasp tightly in

the arms, especially with affection; embrace, to cling firmly or fondly to; to keep

close to, as in sailing and walking.

Inclusion Touching. It is reserved for intimate friends, spouses, or other family

members. It involves such behaviors as holding hands and sitting on laps to

suggest special inclusion of deliberately chosen individuals.

Kissing. Is to touch or press with the lips slightly pursed, and then often to part

them and to emit a smacking sound, in an expression of affection, love, greeting,

reverence.

Light kissing. This kind of kiss is typically made by brief contact of puckered lips

to the skin of the cheek and merely performed in the air near the cheek with the

cheeks touching.

Massaging the back. Is to touch, feel or handle the backside of one another.

Necking. This type of kissing is mostly centered on the neck. The neck is one of

the most popular erogenous zones on a woman, or a man for that matter. The

neck is one place that most people linger on when kissing.

Petting. The act or practice of amorously embracing, kissing, and caressing one's

partner.

Public display of affection. Described as a show of affection between two people

who care for or love each other in a public place.

Touch. It can be defined as a form of communication through physical contact. It

can be shown by making contact to show friendship or affection, or to give sexual

pleasure.
 Review of Related Literature

This section presents a discussion of various materials relating to

the rampant public display of affection. The various materials are gathered from

sources which are deemed necessary in painting a picture of what public display

of affection is

The Nature of Affection

Affection is commonly thought of as being one of the most fundamental of

human needs (Rotter, & Phares, 2002). It is something that flows among people,

something that one gives and one receives. It symbolizes security, protection,

comfort and approval -- vital ingredients in any relationship. To provide affection

is something that requires effort (González & Barrull, 2002). It is something that

moves from one person to another, producing some emotion and it is the

expression of care. It is popularly used to denote a feeling or type of love,

amounting to more than goodwill or friendship. Without it, many feel totally

alienated. With it, they become emotionally bonded. If there be any thing

thoroughly lovely in the human heart, it is affection.

Writers on ethics generally use the word to refer a distinct state of feeling,

both lasting and spasmodic. Some contrast it with passion as being free from the

distinctively sensual element. More specifically the word has been restricted to

emotional states the object of which is a person. In the former sense, it is the

Greek "pathos" and as such it appears in the writings of French philosopher

René Descartes, Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza, and most of the writings of

early British ethicists. However, on various grounds (e.g., that it does not involve
anxiety or excitement and that it is comparatively inert and compatible with the

entire absence of the sensuous element), it is generally and usefully

distinguished from passion. In this narrower sense the word has played a great

part in ethical systems, which have spoken of the social or parental affections as

in some sense a part of moral obligation. For a consideration of these and similar

problems, which depend ultimately on the degree in which the affections are

regarded as voluntary (H. Sidgwick, 2000)

In psychology, the term affection and affective is greatly important. As all

intellectual phenomena have by experimentalists been reduced to sensation, so

all emotion has been and is regarded as reducible to simple mental affection, the

element of which all emotional manifestations are ultimately composed. The

nature of this element is a problem which has been provisionally, but not

conclusively, solved by many psychologists; the method is necessarily

experimental, and all experiments on feeling are peculiarly difficult. The solutions

proposed are two. In the first, all affection phenomena are primarily divisible into

those which are pleasurable and those which are the reverse. The main

objections to this are that it does not explain the infinite variety of phenomena,

and that it disregards the distinction which most philosophers admit between

higher and lower pleasures. The second solution is that every sensation has its

specific affective quality, though by reason of the poverty of language many of

these have no name. It maintains that we may group under three main affective

directions, each with its negative, all the infinite varieties in question; these are

(a) pleasure, or rather pleasantness, and displeasure, (b) tension and relaxation,
(c) excitement and depression. These two views are antithetic and no solution

has been discovered (Outlines of Psychology, Leipzig, 2002). According to

Leipzig these psychogenic needs function mostly on the unconscious level, but

play a major role in our personality.

Affectionate Expression

The desire to be loved and appreciated is a part of the human experience

so deeply engrained that many have come to consider it a fundamental human

need (Baumeister & Leary, 2005; Maslow, 2000). The behaviors through which

feelings of affection are communicated and it is vital to the well being of

individuals and their significant relationships. They contribute to the formation

and maintenance of romantic relationships and often serve as a gauge by which

relational development is monitored (Booth-Butterfield & Trotta, 2004; King &

Christensen, 2003). Affectionate expression is similarly important in platonic

friendships, families, and even acquaintanceships (Floyd, 2001). Given the

breadth of relational experience in which affectionate communication is common,

it is little wonder that it plays such an important role in individual well being. The

individual and relational benefits of receiving affection have been well

documented. Affection contributes to mental health, physical well-being and

academic performance (Steward & Lupfer, 2007). Moreover, it is associated with

a range of relational benefits, including closeness, love, and relationship

satisfaction (Morman, 2003). It is perhaps unsurprising, therefore, that a robust

body of research attests to the mental and physical health benefits of receiving
expressions of love and appreciation in the form of affectionate communication.

Affectionate communication encompasses those verbal and nonverbal behaviors

through which humans convey feelings of fondness, support, and love for others,

and it serves a host of important functions with respect to the initiation and

maintenance of personal relationships.

Expressing of Affection

A simple expression of affection through word or deed can have a wide

variety of emotional effects that range from joy to discomfort to outright fear.

Expressing of affection (various means by which love is communicated to

another person) contribute to the overall atmosphere of love in a given

relationship. In fact, research suggests that the informed and deliberate use of

expressions of affection has a profound impact on marital satisfaction.

In fact, affection also has distinct physical effects both for the receiver and

the giver. Kenneth Villard and Leland Whipple (2003) suggested ways that

people express affection to each other. Gary Chapman (2004) followed the same

vein in his book entitled The Five Love Languages. Chapman developed

categories of expressions of affection strikingly similar to Villard and Whipple's,

including verbal expressions, quality time, gifts, service, and touch. Villard and

Whipple had a sixth category, acts of aggression. Even these two lists may not

provide an exhaustive understanding of how people express affection, but they

do give a general framework for understanding tendencies in this area of

relationships.
 Verbal expressions. A verbal expression of affection is anything that could

be said to or about the other person that could cause them to feel encouraged,

loved, or validated. This includes, but is not limited to, the obvious statement

"I love you." Many people long for this direct verbal expression of their

spouse's feelings (Chapman, 2004). The person who looks for verbal

expressions of affection is happy with a compliment on appearance, a positive

comment about a tasty meal, praise of victories achieved, or verbal support of a

spouse's goals or dreams. Public praise or admiration of the spouse, even if it is

not said directly to the spouse (either it is overheard or relayed by a third party),

enhances the feelings of love felt by the recipient.

Quality time. Whereas some people feel loved when their spouse says

positive things about them, others appreciate the second type of expression,

quality time. For example, a husband who feels most loved through quality time

feels important when his wife takes time away from her other duties to spend

time with him. Or a wife might feel loved through a silent walk on the beach. The

quality time does not need to be spent with the couple in seclusion, although it

could be spent that way. The most important element in quality time is

togetherness. This might mean something as mundane as washing dishes

together. While one washes and one dries, they could share stories about their

day, dreams about life, or quietly go about the work in front of them with no words

exchanged at all. Some research even suggests that such quality time is
essential for development and maintenance of relationships (Baxter & Bullis,

2006).

Gifts. Although some people see quality time as the primary expression of

affection, others enjoy receiving gifts. Research indicates that there are many

reasons why a person likes to receive gifts (Areni, Kieckner, & Palan, 2008). A

wife who feels loved by receiving gifts might be pleased because her husband

spent money when it was totally out of character for him to do so. The giving of

flowers to signify that the spouse remembered a special day (Mother's Day,

birthday, or anniversary) could speak volumes to some partners. A gift could

provide a positive moment because it indicates that the spouse thought of the

other person when he or she was not present and that thought motivated the gift.

Something as simple as picking up a candy bar can express affection.

Acts of service. Many people would say that gifts are perfectly fine, but

"the clothes aren't going to fold themselves!" Acts of service, the fourth type of

expression of affection, involves one partner performing specific actions for their

spouse. The exertion of time and energy for the other's benefit is the key. A

husband who feels loved by what his wife does for him would experience the

greatest feeling of love when his wife fixes dinner or surprises him by mowing

diapers or doing the laundry. These actions are not always the most wonderful or

desirable things to do. Most people do not jump at the chance to clean the toilet

or wash the car. However, the thought that a spouse would do something like

this, even though he or she does not particularly like to, would make the other
spouse feel loved. One researcher has indicated that supportive behaviors

include tangible support (i.e., acts of service) through offering assistance or

resources (Cutrona, 2006). By offering time and energy through serving one

another, marriage partners are likely to experience positive moments.

Public Display of Affection (PDA)

Public display of affection (PDA) can best be described as a show of

affection between two people who care for or love each other in a public place. It

could be as simple as a mother hugging her son or two friends holding hands.

However, we usually think of PDA in a more sexual sense. Holding hands,

hugging, petting and kissing are all forms of attachment. The essay "A Case for

the Public Display of Affection as Deep Ecology" by Portia Brockway (2002)

examines a couple’s use of PDA. It is a thoughtful piece and it starts us to think

the importance of PDA in a relationship. It seems to be an integral part of a

couple’s relationship. You can almost read what a couple knows each other by

their willingness to commit PDA.

According to Antonio Samson (2000) on his article “Behaviors on today’s

Youth” many teenagers here in the Philippines get to use about this PDA they do

not even care to the people who may see what they are doing. Couples may

have there own time in giving importance to each other but why do they keep on

showing indecent exposure in public places like in malls, park and even schools,

it is a public place, where people usually spare their leisure moments.

 This simple body gestures such as holding hands, kissing your partners’

neck in front of people and other explicit behaviors may also lead to pre-marital

sex. Public display of affection are narrated with great pride, young lovers have

always been disapproved of doing so. It may be because of the beliefs and

customs of people, or it may just be because people fear what society might say.

It appears that the concept of brotherhood amongst citizens has been taken too

far. People live, not by their own rules, but by the judgment of their society. It is

one of the few things that make the observer more uncomfortable as compared

to the people actually involved in the act. It is, however, a matter of choice for the

concerned couples. The people who usually display their affection publicly are

not very much concerned about public approval. They are comfortable with what

they are doing and do not think that they are committing a wrong behavior.

Though the new generations may be at ease with the emotional kind of

love, clearly, physical intimacy is not something that can be accepted by the

society just yet. The cities however, are in the process of opening their minds at

least a little bit. Where a girl and boy even talking in public aroused much gossip,

now even a couple holding hands is rarely given a second glance. But a line

must be drawn when it comes to hugging and kissing in public. Not only does the

couple stand to have their reputation tarnished, but they also end up humiliating

their families. What is it that makes people exhibit their intimacy in public? The

reasons vary from mere showing off, to reassuring themselves of the dedication

of their lover. The more practical reason of not having anywhere else to go may

also lead couples to unknowingly create a spectacle of themselves. Is being

openly affectionate with your partner really wrong, provided you are committed to

them? Right or wrong has always been determined by whether or not society

approved of the thing in question. Though, love and affection isn’t wrong in any

sense of the word, it is, and perhaps will always be, a very private emotion.

Flaunting love is unacceptable because it goes against all our customs. So to all

those young couples who venture out to meet in public, this advice may be

helpful – as far as possible, refrain from getting physically intimate publicly. Not

only can it land you into trouble, but it can also bring a bad name upon your

family (Chavez, 2006).

Forms of Public Display of Affection

Touch. Touch can be identified as a form of communication through

physical contact (Kitzinger & Sung, 2001). Touch means to make contact with, to

show friendship or affection, or to give sexual pleasure. To be touched by

something also has the meaning of being emotionally affected. Routasalo (2001)

also gives synonyms to the verb touch, which include brush, caress, fondle, and

handle. The expression of touch has many forms, such as comfort, love, and

healing. The negative expression of touch includes anger, rejection, or control.

Therefore, touch is clearly composed of two important aspects: physical contact

and emotional interaction.

According to a study by Regan, Narvaez, and Johnson (2003), the type of

touching behavior displayed among their subjects differed as a function of race or

ethnicity. For example, heterosexual couples from non contact-prone cultures

were less likely than couples from “contact” cultures to display one-armed
embracing while walking together in public. But hand-holding behavior between

these two cultures was not significantly different. This is because hand-holding

appears to be a universally accepted form of public touch among heterosexual

couples.

People choose to employ touch as a way to display their affection either in

public or private places, depending on their values, norms, and culture. Various

forms of public display of affection include holding hands, hugging, kissing, and

exchanging eye contact. Each society has its own pattern of public display of

affection. For example, a couple may publicly express their affection through

holding hands, hugging, or kissing each other. They can even publicly display

their love for each other through expressions in their eyes. Though the new

generations may be at ease with the emotional kind of love, clearly, physical

intimacy is not something that can be accepted by the society just yet. The

people who usually display their affection publicly are not very much concerned

about public approval. They are comfortable with what they are doing and do not

think that they are committing any great wrong.

Physical touch is positive touching. Positive touching does not necessarily

have sexual overtones, though it does include this. Rather it is physical touch

done for the purpose of showing positive feelings for someone. For instance,

cuddling, hugging, an arm around the shoulder or even holding hands fulfills a

person's desire to be touched without a sexual level of involvement. These

instances of touch let the other person know that he or she is loved. Touch is a
symbolic behavior that sends several different messages. Researchers have

outlined four particular categories of touch as a symbolic behavior: support,

appreciation, inclusion, and sexual touch (Jones & Yarbrough, 2000).

Inclusion touching. It is reserved for intimate friends, spouses, or other

family members. It involves such behaviors as holding hands and sitting on laps

to suggest special inclusion of deliberately chosen individuals. Sexual touch is

designed to indicate sexual attraction and intent toward and including sexual

intercourse. Although these are different types of touch, they all could signify a

positive moment for some spouses. It is usually occurs with verbalized

statement of gratitude. The touch might be a pat on the back or a kiss on the

cheek accompanying "Thank you!" Understand that showing warmth for your

partner is one thing. However when your emotions overtake you or you cannot

control it then there is a problem (WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1 Copyright © 2001 by

Princeton University).

Light kissing. A kiss can express affection. This kind of kiss is typically

made by brief contact of puckered lips to the skin of the cheek and merely

performed in the air near the cheek with the cheeks touching. It is a peck on the

cheek, a light one-second kiss on the lips, a kiss on the forehead or the head, or

a gentle brush of your lips against his hand is okay. Kisses on the cheek are a

very common form of greeting among members of the same sex in most Islamic

countries, following the Mediterranean pattern (WordNet. WordNet 1.7.1

Copyright © 2001 by Princeton University).

Kissing in Western Culture

In modern Western culture, kissing is most commonly an expression of

affection. Between people of close acquaintance, a reciprocal kiss often is

offered as a greeting or farewell. This kind of kiss is typically made by brief

contact of puckered lips to the skin of the cheek or no contact at all and merely

performed in the air near the cheek with the cheeks touching. People may kiss

children on the forehead to comfort them or the cheek to show affection, and vice

versa.

As an expression of romantic affection or sexual desire in Western culture,

kissing involves two people pressing their lips together with an intensity of sexual

feeling. A couple may open their mouths, suck on each others lips or move their

tongues into each others' mouths. In Slavic cultures until recent times, kissing

between two men on the lips as a greeting or a farewell was not uncommon and

not considered sexual. Symbolic kissing is frequent in Western cultures.

A kiss can be blown to another by kissing the fingertips and then blowing

the fingertips, pointing them in the direction of the recipient. This is used to

convey affection, usually when parting or when the partners are physically distant

but can view each other. Blown kisses are also used when a person wishes to

convey affection to a large crowd or audience. In written correspondence a kiss

has been represented by the letter X since at least 1763. A stage or screen kiss

may be performed by actually kissing, or faked by using the thumbs as a barrier

for the lips and turning so the audience is unable to fully see the act. In some

Western cultures it is considered good luck to kiss someone on Christmas or on

New Year's Eve, especially beneath a sprig of mistletoe (Moser, G., 1992).

Kissing in Non-Western Cultures

Some literatures suggest that a non-trivial percentage of humanity does

not kiss. In Sub Saharan African, Asiatic, Polynesian and possibly in some Native

American cultures, kissing was relatively unimportant until European and

Western colonization. With the Andamanese, kissing was only used as a sign of

affection towards children and had no sexual undertones. Kissing in traditional

Islamic cultures is not accepted between two members of the opposite sex who

are not married or closely related by blood or marriage. More liberal-minded

societies, such as that of Lebanon or Egypt, allow such kisses as greetings; more

secular-minded individuals living in more traditional societies may have a similar

view. Kisses on the cheek are a very common form of greeting among members

of the same sex in most Islamic countries, following the Mediterranean pattern

(Moser, G., 1992).

Hugging. Hugging is a form of physical intimacy that usually involves a

forcefully or heartily tight embrace holding the arms around another person or

group of persons. The hug is one of the most common human signs of love and

affection, along with kissing. Sometimes, hugs are a romantic exchange. It may

also be exchanged as a sign of support and comfort. In most cases, it is used to

show many levels of affection. It is not particular to human beings alone, as there

are many species of animals that engage in similar exchanges of warmth.

Hugging has been proven to have health benefits. One study has shown that

hugs increase levels of oxytocin, and reduce blood pressure. There are different
variations of hugs. Prolonged hugging in a cozy, comfortable position is called

cuddling. The A-Frame-Brief hug is ideal for little-known relatives and situations

requiring a bit of formality. All of the hugging takes place above the neck. This

hug communicates polite caring or detached warmth. The Cheek Hug is a tender

hug that can be executed through sitting or standing. This hug says "I'm sorry

you're disappointed," or is ideal to share joy or greet an elderly relative. The

Group Hug is great for good friends sharing an activity or project. Group hugs

communicate support, security, affection, unity and universal sense of

belongingness (Dee, S., 2004).

A hug is perfectly fine as long as you let go of your better half in a few

seconds. A soft light kiss on the cheek too is okay at the end of the hug. Unlike

some other forms of physical intimacy, it is practiced publicly and privately

without stigma in many countries, religions and cultures, within families, and also

across age and gender lines. The New York Times has reported that "the hug has

become the favorite social greeting when teenagers meet or part these days" in

the United States.

Holding Hands. Nothing can be more endearing than a couple holding

hands in front of many people. “It is the one aspect that's not been affected by

the sexual revolution,” said Dalton Conley, a professor and chairman of the

department of sociology at New York University. To hold someone's hand is to

offer them affection, protection or comfort. It is a way to communicate that you

are off the market. When you hold hands with the love of your life it is more than
a physical connection. It strengthens the invisible bond between man and

woman. It gives you an inner sense of peace that no material thing can ever

replace (Dee, S., 2004).

This form of PDA is okay so go ahead and hold his hand for as long as

you want. When friends hold hands sometimes it depends on their culture and

gender: in the Western culture this is mainly done by women and small children.

In Arab countries, Africa and some parts of Asia it is done also by men. It is also

fairly common to see teenage girls holding hands as a sign of friendship.

French Kissing. A French kiss is a kiss, usually romantic or sexual in

nature, in which one participant's tongue touches the other's tongue and usually

enters his or her mouth. French kissing stimulates the lips, tongue and mouth,

which are all areas very sensitive to touch, and the practice is considered to be

pleasurable, highly intimate, and sexually arousing. Unlike other forms of kissing

(such as brief kisses in greeting or friendship), episodes of French kissing may

often be prolonged, intense, and passionate. French kissing is a public display of

affection that is typically discouraged in many parts of the world. Studying animal

behavior, Thierry Lodé (2001), an evolutionary biologist, argues that the French

kiss has a real function: to explore the sexual partner's immune system via the

saliva. The exchange of saliva in a French kiss may increase the chances of

catching an orally transmitted disease such as human papillomavirus,

mononucleosis, allergic reactions to nuts and drugs and herpes, when the

infectious virus is present in the saliva. Keep the French kissing and other forms

of intense kissing for private moments.

 Massaging the back. A massage in the back of the person/s involved with

extremely intimate form of affection and is best left for when you two are alone. It

is the practice of applying pressure or vibration to the soft tissues of the body,

including muscles, connective tissue, tendons, ligaments, and joints. The word

comes from the French massage "friction of kneading", or from Arabic massa

meaning "to touch, feel or handle" or from Latin massa meaning "mass, dough”

(Rick Rosen, 2000).

A form of therapy, massage can be applied to parts of the body or

successively to the whole body, to heal injury, relieve psychological stress,

manage pain, improve circulation and relieve tension. Where massage is used

for its physical and psychological benefits, it may be termed "therapeutic

massage therapy" or manipulative therapy. Due to the necessary physical

contact between the two persons, care is taken to avoid causing sexual arousal.

Necking. This type of kissing is mostly centered on the neck. The neck is

one of the most popular erogenous zones on a woman, or a man for that matter.

The neck is one place that most people linger on when kissing. According to

Bahrani (2000) on her article Forms of Public Display of Affection, while you may

put down your display to love and warmth for your partner there is a time and

place for everything. All forms of affection are best left for complete privacy. Dr

Leena Bahrani says, “There is a line one can draw between decent and indecent

behavior. There is a time and place for everything. And the public eye is not the

place to display sexual affection.” We must understand that showing warmth for
your partner is one thing. However, when your emotions overtake you or you

cannot control it then there is a problem. When you are in public make sure that

you do not put people around you at discomfort on account of your behavior.

Petting. It refers to affectionate stroking and caressing. However, in a

human context, "petting" often refers to amorous or sexual connotations -

situations where a person touches the body of another person during kissing or

love play, especially parts which are typically covered by clothing (e.g., the

abdomen or breasts). When the amorous play advances beyond these

parameters, and leads to contact with the genitals, through clothing still, it is

sometimes referred to as "heavy petting". This type of personal intimacy is self-

centered outside of marriage. It uses others for selfish and exploitative purposes,

and not only can it get out of hand, but can become explosive (Dee, S., 2004).

In human sexuality, making out is a sexual euphemism of American origin

dating back to at least 1949, and is used synonymously with the terms "necking"

and "petting". It typically involves kissing, prolonged, passionate kissing (also

known as French kissing), intimate contact and heavy petting. Petting is a part of

foreplay and is designed to arouse sexual desire in preparation for intercourse—

something that is to be saved for marriage (Amankwaa, L., 2003). We may try to

rationalize and explain away the need for moral purity and avoiding temptation,

but God not only sees all we do and think, but He declares that such foolish

behavior has destructive and dominating consequences.

 Our manner in public could affect our moral basis as a conservative

individual in our society and it also creates an image whether depending on the

action that is being done or scandalizes a traditional couple. So do think of the

people around you before you indulge in Public Display of Affection.

Pros and Cons of PDA

Public display of affection or PDA has pros and cons depending on where

society one belongs or what culture one is in. The pros are: It may mean that one

individual is proud of the other individual. It may also mean that one is truly in

love with the other or one has nothing to hide. He/she may have no fear of being

caught by someone else. The cons are: It may not be acceptable to society. And

we are in Catholic school so it became uglier to look at. And for conservative

people, it may convey bad meanings and not good for children to see. They

might consider this act as normal and can be done by just anybody.

Philippines is one of the Christian countries in Asia. Filipinos learned

towards a more conservative outlook when it comes to sexual morality. In our

country, we witnessed milder versions of PDA. Many of us feel so uncomfortable

when we see sweethearts guzzling necks in public and rubbing their torsos

against each other like cats. This is one of the reasons why PDA is not merely

acceptable in our society.

 Filipinos are known to be more affectionate. We are affectionate in public

but we do it with priority and respect for the sensibilities of other people. In many

societies, public display of affection may be tolerated even less among minority

couples. For example, gay couples could be risk of encountering aggression from

disapproving on lookers. While such PDA could trigger hate and violence, some

gay rights advocates have used public display of affection as a means of

defense, treating them as political acts. For example, at McGill University, one of

the universities in USA, The Querr McGill organization stages “kiss- ins” in which

gay couples kiss in public areas on the university campus. In many places

around the world, couple of differing race, religion or tribe may be subject to

similar intolerance.

According to the psychologist Dr. Leena Bahrani (2000), nowadays

everything seems to be accepted. She said that, “Though people brought up with

a good values system will stay within limits when in public”. There is a time and

place for everything and when in public one should behave oneself.