Showing affection to your partner is a normal and healthy part of a relationship. Still, not everyone is a fan of PDA, and that’s understandable. Many people believe that intimacy and affection belong behind closed doors. Fair enough! However, there are plenty of people who completely disagree with that idea. In fact, they don’t think simple PDA takes it far enough. Power PDA is becoming more and more popular, and it’s extremely intense.
What is Power PDA?
A term coined by the dating app Bumble, power PDA is all about being unapologetic in showing your partner how into them you are, no matter who’s watching. Whether you’re making out in a public park or grabbing your partner’s butt at the grocery store, these public displays of affection are meant to be seen.
It’s believed that power PDA is picking up steam thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic. With dating put on hold for nearly two years and the ability to get close to one another stifled during that time, we’re ready to get back to it.
“People are really making up for lost time,” Bumble’s relationship expert Dr. Caroline West said on the “Dermont & Dave” podcast. “Two in three Bumble daters are saying they’re into [the power PDA trend], and I think it’s related to how touch-starved we were during the pandemic. People are really making up for two years of having nobody touch them—and touch is a basic human need… we need cuddles, and not just more ‘adult time.'”
How is it different from regular PDA?
Whereas “regular” PDA includes things like holding hands or perhaps giving a light peck while walking down the street, power PDA takes that to the next level. Think Kourtney Kardashian and Travis Barker or Megan Fox and Machine Gun Kelly (before they broke up, that is). The things they did in public would make most people blush, no matter how open-minded.
In other words, it’s a lot more extreme and sometimes more explicit than PDA. It makes the normal version look vanilla and almost boring. Power PDA encourages you to have a full-on makeout session in the middle of a crowded place. Straddle each other if you want. Push each other up against the wall and even start dry humping if you want. Basically, do everything short of getting completely naked and having full-blown sex. That’s what power PDA is all about.
Is power PDA really a good thing?
In theory, yes. The need and desire for human touch is strong, especially post-COVID. Not only that, but when you’re super attracted to someone, it’s hard to keep your hands off them. There’s something incredibly freeing about saying, “Screw societal norms!” and just going with what your heart (and your hormones) demands of you.
That being said, any type of PDA can be disrespectful to other people around you, especially if it involves explicit or intimate physical contact. While showing affection towards your partner is natural and normal, it’s important to consider the comfort levels of those around you and respect their boundaries.
When engaging in PDA, it’s also important to think about the context and setting. For example, it might be more appropriate to show affection in a private or intimate setting rather than in a public space, such as a crowded street or public transportation. Plus, it’s important to consider cultural norms and societal expectations, as some cultures may view PDA differently than others.
Overall, while it’s important to express your love and affection towards your partner, it’s equally important to be respectful of those around you and considerate of their comfort levels. You might decide you don’t really care and want to stick your tongues down each other’s throats at the dog park. That’s your prerogative. However, don’t expect everyone to be pleased about it.
