Young, flirty and under thirty, college students have a reputation for rejecting relationships.
The term ‘hookup culture’ was coined to describe society’s acceptance, and usually millennials’ acceptance, of casual sex.
With films like the 2011 “Friends with Benefits”, TV programs like “Greek” and songs like “Talking Body” by Tove Lo, it may seem like the millennial and college generation is being appropriately labeled — unless you are one. Sites like Though Catalog feature a lot of young individuals that condemn hookup culture and the notion that it’s supposed to be the norm. So what’s the truth?
As a college student, you may already have strong opinions about the hookup and dating world, and you may also have a lot of questions.
Hookup? What even is that?
There’s not one definition.
Rachel Needle, licensed psychologist, certified sex therapist and adjunct professor of psychology, said “The way that hookups are defined will vary based on who you ask.”
Typically, a hookup can be thought of as any sexual encounter that isn’t attached to expectations — hence, the phrase no strings attached. The form of activities a hookup might entail is dependent on individual comfort and preference.
How long has this been going on?
Longer than you may think.
Glenn Scheyd, associate professor and chair of the department of psychology and neuroscience, said that research suggests the amount of casual sex in our society has been about the same since the 1980s. However, there has been a significant change in the acceptance of hookup culture.
Although every part of society may not approve of hookup culture, “it’s just understood to be something that happens,” said Scheyd.
Is it right for you?
That’s for you to decide.
Needle said that one study of college students shows between “60 and 80 percent report having some sort of hookup experience” at some point, but that not everyone is a good candidate for hookup culture. Therefore, hookup culture isn’t necessarily the norm.
According to Needle, some individuals find engaging in hookup culture liberating because there’s less pressure on performance and consequences, while others won’t feel the same way.
Scheyd said individual preferences between the levels of commitment in sexual accounts is referred to as sociosexual orientation. Similar to a personality trait, sociosexual orientation will vary from individual to individual.
No preference proves to be better than the other. Individuals may benefit from casual sexual encounters or they may not. It’s your decision to do what makes you feel comfortable.
“Make your own decisions about who you want to have a relationship with and what type of relationship you want to have with them,” said Scheyd.
What else should I know?
Protect yourself, mentally and physically.
Both Scheyd and Needle said students should not engage in any activities they don’t feel comfortable with.
Communicating your expectations for the relationship — casual or committed — and each encounter is essential. Hookups, though designed to not incorporate feelings, can sometimes lead to relationships, according to Needle. So, communicating when your expectations and feelings change is also important.
Needle said that hookups are often portrayed as taking place under the influence of alcohol but, in real life, alcohol should be avoided in the world of hookups.
“It’s important that both parties are not drunk and, therefore, able to consent and communicate about the hookup,” said Needle.
Students should also take precautions to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies by using condoms and other forms of birth control, said Needle.
Whether students have already engaged in hookup culture, decided it’s not right for them or aren’t exactly sure how they feel, they don’t have to question their position on the matter. While the general public is arguably becoming more open about hookup culture, casual sexual encounters aren’t a new concept or an end-all-be-all in our society.
