Affection can mean a number of things. It can be seen as a way to show romantic love or to show friendship. The dictionary meaning, according to “Merriam-Webster”, is a feeling of liking and caring for someone or something.

People can receive affection in many ways and from different people.

“Sometimes I get affection from my friends but usually I get hugs and things like that from my mom,” sophomore Elizabeth Lee said.

There are different opinions as to why people seem to long for affection whether it be from their peers or their family. Freshman Rebekah Porter thinks it helps self-esteem.

“I think people want affection to make their day better or to cheer themselves up and feel good about themselves,” Porter said.

Forms of affection can be used excessively or very little. Couples may show affection in public and friends may show signs of love. There are many things that can be viewed as affection, but people can view it differently. Junior Ashlen Lemon thinks hugging and hand-holding are the most popular forms of showing love.

“When I see affection in our school, it’s usually people holding hands before they go into class,” Lemon said.

Whether affection is needed or not is up for opinion and some students think while a lot of people do need it, others can be perfectly happy without it.

“It does help people connect but I think people who don’t really like receiving affection can still survive.” sophomore Gabby Taliaferro said. “People needing affection is come and go and a lot of people are fine with not getting what most people view as love.”

18agonzalez@usd489.com