A cross section of residents in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have expressed their admiration for public display of affection, while others condemned the act.
The residents spoke in separate interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Friday.
NAN reports that public display of affection are acts of physical intimacy in the view of others which includes hugging, pecking, kissing, holding hands, backrubs and other forms of affection.
However, what is an acceptable display of affection varies with respect to culture and context.
Displays of affection in a public place such as the street are more likely to be objected to, than similar practices in a private place with only people from a similar cultural background present.
Some organisations have rules limiting or prohibiting public display of affection.
Physical affection has been defined as “any touch intended to arouse feelings of love in the giver and/or the recipient’’.
Some residents described the act as a way of bonding among couples and other matured adults, but, however, warned that it should be done with caution.
Women are believed to love the show of affection in public and will always want to engage in it as long as it does not attract societal stigma.
Mrs Cynthia Ohis, a business woman said that public display of affection was a way of bonding among couples, but called for caution on the part of those involved.
“Public display of affection like pecking, kissing is ok, it is not a bad idea to tell the world you are either married or in a relationship.
“In as much as we want to feel loved in public, there should be a limit to any display of intimacy.
“Some people over expressed intimacy in public, lose concentration and before you know it, they expose what is meant for the private.”
According to her, women like the display of affection in public majorly due to insecurity.
Mr Johnson Odeh, a banker said that display of affection in the view of others was good, but added that the intentions for such act should be clear.
Odeh added that a show of public affection should be among married and approved would be couples.
He noted that people should be conscious of whom they display affection for, adding that it was not healthy inter-changing spouse and displaying affection with all of them.
The banker noted that such an individual would attract societal stigma and perceived as a promiscuous person.
“People can show affection in public if they are married, or are in a serious relationship that will culminate into marriage.
“There are some men that will want to show affection in public because they want to be identified with a particular woman and that is not a good intention.
“Not every man that shows public affection to a woman has good intentions and women should be conscious of that,” he said.
Odeh alleged that people who would not want to express affection in public were not faithful to their relationships.
He, however, said that some individuals could be shy, reserved and would not want to display affection in public places.
Mr Salisu Dauda, an engineer said that display of affection in public places was indecent.
According to Dauda, it is disrespectful to the individuals involved.
He noted that intimacy among spouses should be regarded with utmost secrecy and protection of each other’s dignity.
Mr Simon Oluwole, a pastor noted that public display of affection should be reserved for married couples.
Oluwole added that showing affection in public places was dependent on the personality of the individual and upbringing.
“Showing affection in public does not necessarily mean the existence of love and does not determine the bonding between couples.
“Some women just conclude that if their men do not express love in public, he does not love them, but it is not totally true.
“The fact still remains that intimacy should be a thing of dignity meant for married people,” he said. (NAN)
cc: abujafact
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