There is a saying that there is no greater feeling on Earth than that of a lover’s touch — but as a person who has not kept a relationship for more than a month or two, I do not know how accurate that statement is. However, I have seen enough rom coms to know that love makes people happy. So why should we take away that emotion? Why can we not let our fellow friends hold hands while walking to class and cuddle during lunch? Why do we, as a society, judge those experiencing life’s greatest joy?

For some, it comes from a place of jealousy. Junior Syon Mallempati, after breaking up with his girlfriend a couple months ago, is now depressingly down bad. To see couples displaying affection to one another reminds him of what he is missing out on.

“Every single time I see a couple holding hands, I think of her,” Mallempati said. “I hope she takes me back.”

This pathetic viewpoint may be a reason why so many people are against the idea of public affection. Jealousy, however, should not be a driving factor for an opinion on public displays of affection (PDA). Instead, the right thing to do is to support friends on their voyage through romantic endeavors and encourage their affectionate exploits.

Furthermore, a study conducted at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) could potentially sway the opinion of doubters. The study demonstrated that students who displayed public affection exhibited increased academic and athletic performance. Forbidding PDA, therefore, would hurt students more than help them.

Junior Mitali Vasudevan echoes these sentiments. As someone who has only recently discovered the thrills of affection, Vasudevan feels like it is unfair to judge others for their love and the happiness that comes from it.

“The fact that people give me weird glances for cuddling my boyfriend during lunch really shows how stupid the world is,” Vasudevan said.

To be fair, she is right. No couple should ever be judged for PDA. No matter how prudent, Vasudevan and many others still maintain the right to openly express their adoration for their partners. After all, the Second Amendment states that American citizens have the right to assemble… hands with one another in public.

So the next time you see a couple holding hands in the hallways, do not give them dirty looks. Instead, think of the joy that PDA brings to people and leave the two lovebirds alone — even if you are atrociously down bad.