She’s Making a Statement: New Study Reveals PDA Is Often Performative

Have you ever been out with a partner, and suddenly, they lean in for a public kiss or an unexpected show of affection? It might leave you feeling confident, like all those hours at the gym or the fresh haircut finally paid off. But what if that moment wasn’t as spontaneous as you thought?

 

A recent study published in The Journal of Sex Research suggests that public displays of affection (PDA) are often less about private connection and more about putting on a show for others.

 

I remember dating someone a few years ago who wasn’t over-the-top with PDA—just the occasional hand-holding or a gentle touch here and there. But one night, everything shifted. We stopped by the mall to grab something, and as the cashier started ringing us up, her affection levels skyrocketed. She was suddenly all over me—kissing, touching, you name it.

 

I was baffled. This wasn’t her usual behavior. Later that night, she confessed the reason: she had noticed the cashiers eyeing me and turned up the PDA to send a clear message that I was “taken.”

 

Sound familiar? Turns out, this isn’t uncommon. Researchers surveyed over 300 college students about their PDA habits and found that 33% admitted to engaging in “performative making out.”

 

For men, the motivation was often about enhancing their image—looking desirable or asserting dominance in front of perceived competition. For some, it was about making their relationship status crystal clear or solidifying a budding romance.

 

Women, on the other hand, admitted to using PDA as a tool to make others jealous or to project a more adventurous persona.

 

So, what does this mean for you? Does it shift your perspective on PDA? How does this idea of performative affection fit into your life or relationships?

 

At The Sacred Kings, we dive into topics like this to explore how men can show up authentically in their relationships and navigate the deeper layers of connection and intention. This is what true Men’s Work is about—peeling back the surface to discover what drives us and how we can lead with clarity and confidence.

 

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think PDA is more about connection or performance? Leave a comment below or reach out to learn more about how The Sacred Kings can help you explore these dynamics in your own life.