Introduction
According to this article by Donna Freitas, the hookup culture in most educational institutions is leaving the younger generation confused on matters relating to intimacy, sexually unfulfilled and unhappy (Freitas 1). The research conducted via questionnaires in data collection showed students’ views, experiences in the University, and opinions concerning the hookup culture. Key findings of the research include; the existence of a lifestyle of unemotional, unattached sex in campus, students feeling confined by the hookup culture, most of the students hate casual sex, and lastly, dates and get-to-know-you conversation is considered forbidden in the University.
Adoption of The Hookup Culture in University
Donna Freitas argues that the current generation has adopted the hookup culture and foregone the dating process, and further ignored emotions in their sexual interactions with peers. Research conducted by Lisa Wade considered hooking up to include from just kissing to sex and that approximately 40 percent of the students engaging in hookup end up having sex. The research also noted that 32 percent of hookups on campus ended in kissing. This means that within four years of college, students probably engage in make-outs only once. Another study (Wade 187) also concluded that less than 15 percent of students on campus engage in sex more than twice yearly. This means that stopping hookup culture is not really a solution to reducing the rate at which students engage in sex. The student who engages in sex, especially females, in most cases, are looking for a serious relationship considering they are often more emotional compared to men. Students may not have been completely genuine when discussing the issues, as some could try to fit in by making false statements about how many peers they have hooked up with within the school.
Students Feeling Confined by the Hookup Culture
The research identified students who felt they had to engage in hookup activities to fit on campus. Peer pressure is common on campus, and students usually blend in according to specific activities that most students participate in. For example, students publicly declaring the students they are dating on campus makes others not in a relationship feel they are not pretty enough or there is something significantly wrong with them. Female students on campus more often compete with one another by trying to hook up with one of the cutest boys on campus or those with financial stability. This usually puts the females in a bad position as they get attracted to partners that would have sex with them but not get into a serious relationship with them. This means that the females will stay in the hookup even when there is no dating to brag about it when with other females. Reciprocated love becomes the opportunity cost in such relationships. The human brain is programmed by its environment so that new students behave the same way as those who joined the campus before they did (Townsend et al. 1195). However, every individual can still think and differentiate between wrong and right. Previously instilled values before the students join campus play a key role in whether they make appropriate decisions or follow what every other student does.
Students Hate Casual Sex
This article identified students who were against the hookup culture and expressed sincere regrets for their previous actions. They expressed regret, shame, envy and feeling empty and miserable. The students, therefore, experienced it and, in the end, concluded that it was not worth it. Students who engage in casual sex are less likely to do it again after realizing it is not good for their mental health (Lewis et al. 370). Students usually engage in casual sex due to curiosity considering the stories they hear from their peers that appear appealing. A change of heart results after a practical experience that may lead to disappointment and the discovery of new facts revolving around casual sex. Campus students prefer finding out the truth rather than being told. They try it out with someone they how will not disappoint, but in the end, a greater percentage of the students who try out casual sex end up disappointed. The heartbroken student is usually on the verge of revenge by promoting the culture of casual sex.
Dates and Get-To-Know-You Conversation is Considered Forbidden at The University
Students consider going on dates and having conversations about knowing each other outdated. Most students would love such romantic treatment, but in public, they go about with the slogan,” though shall not get attached” (Wade 187). This means the students are not genuine about what they truly want and only say what their peers would love to hear. Students on campus, especially females, watch romance movies and have extremely high expectations when they go on a date. Their male counterparts expected to take them on expensive dates cannot afford that. This has caused a shift in a university culture where students opt to go directly to having sex. Students’ lack of finances is a key factor shaping the culture of not going on dates and having healthy conversations.
Conclusion
In summary, it is evident that students have adopted the hookup culture; some students feel confined by the hookup culture, other students hate casual sex, and lastly, they consider dates and get-to-know-you conversations forbidden. Stopping the hookup culture may not be a viable solution to the casual sex most campus students adopt. However, instilling high moral values before the students join campus is key to ensuring they stay on the right track while maintaining their integrity.
Works Cited
Freitas, Donna. The end of sex: How hookup culture leaves a generation unhappy, sexually unfulfilled, and confused about intimacy. Basic Books, 2013.
Lewis, Patricia, et al. “Gender norms and sexual consent in dating relationships: A qualitative study of university students in Vietnam.” Culture, Health & Sexuality 24.3 2022: 358–373.
Townsend, John Marshall, Peter K. Jonason, and Timothy H. Wasserman. “Associations between motives for casual sex, depression, self-esteem, and sexual victimization.” Archives of Sexual Behavior 49 2020: 1189–1197.
Wade, Lisa. “Doing casual sex: A sexual fields approach to the emotional force of hookup culture.” Social Problems 68.1 2021: 185–201.
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