Hook-up culture refers to a culture built on the approved practice of engaging in hook-ups, or sexual encounters between two or more individuals where it is understood that commitment, relationships, and emotional feelings are not expected outcomes. Defining a hook-up is ambiguous because it can have a variety of meanings ranging from casual Kissing to foreplay and oral sex, or in some cases, it can mean participating in sexual intercourse.
Hook-ups typically only last a short time and those involved are typically only interested in experiencing sexual intimacy and pleasure. Not all hook-ups can be classified as "one-night stands", however, since some people believe they can eventually lead to dating or more personal connections. While people have engaged in casual sex for many years, the act of "hooking-up" has become increasingly popular on college and university campuses in the United States over the last decade. Hooking up has become common for many college students, and the practice has replaced more traditional 20th century ideas about dating.
Furthermore, social media sites like Facebook or Match, and phone applications like Grindr and Tinder have given users an opportunity to form connections with other people who have similar sexual interests or desires. Studying hook-up culture focuses on its influences on the formation and management of friendships and romantic relationships.
The growth of hook-up culture is also shaping gender roles, specifically in regards to sexual behavior. Aside from these aspects of hook-ups, taking part in uncommitted sex can lead to potential negative physical and emotional impacts. The idea of hook-up culture is not a new concept.
The growing popularity of hook-ups stems from the s, a time when both sexual liberation and feminism were growing, and birth control options were becoming more readily available. Support for sexual freedom became increasingly popular as new ideas and beliefs evolved about the positive and negative aspects of engaging in sexual intercourse. Feminism grew substantially what the s, with hookup arguing that a woman should have complete control over her own body.
Highlights
Kathleen Bogle has stated that the growing acceptance of casual sex in the s could also be attributed hookup a sharp rise in female student enrollment at colleges and universities. While both men and women participate in hook-ups, Bogle notes that males and females often choose casual sex for different reasons. Men who engage in regular sexual activity are seen as successful individuals who are "players".
Researcher Donna Freitas challenges society's perceptions of the male sexual script. Through conversations and interviews with men on college campuses, she says they expressed a need to "fit in" with other males to be successful. Stereotypes suggest most people believe gay men are the most likely to engage in casual or uncommitted sex on a regular basis. Additionally, society's early negative perspectives on homosexuality along with a lack of "regulation" in gay relationships can explain the higher rate of casual sex encounters among gay men.
Recent advances in technology such as dating websites and mobile apps, have also contributed to the current hook-up tendencies observed in gay men. Nevertheless, because casual hook-ups and anonymous sexual encounters have been classified as more prominent in homosexuals, apps like Tinder and Bumble still maintain a broader focus on more long-term goals like dating or relationships, especially when compared to apps like Grindr.
Most people choose to take part in hook-ups to experience physical intimacy and sexual pleasure, but this type of behavior can result in a variety of negative outcomes, too. Engaging in hook-ups can have negative effects on a person's mental health as well, including feelings of anxiety or discomfort. Many reported having feelings of embarrassment, emotional issues, and best online dating sites reviews overall lack of respect from their peers.
What’s So Cultural about Hookup Culture?
The majority of academic research about hook-up culture focuses on the psychological, biological, and societal influences on an individual's inclination to engage in uncommitted sex, but some scholars have examined theories of communication and how they relate to hook-up culture.
The premise behind John Bowlby's attachment theory is to "describe the behaviors that humans use to relate to one another. The way cultural norms affects someone's sexual habits and behavior is defined as sexual script theory. The concept of cultivation theory suggests "media influence hookup indirectly. Most research regarding hook-up culture has been reliant on conducting interviews and surveys with sexually active individuals, particularly those at a high school or college level.
Scholars have expressed the difficulty of defining a "hook-up" since it has different meanings based on cultural norms and personal preferences. Another culture of research has studied the influences of dating websites and mobile dating apps on free christian app for dating culture.
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Research conducted on hook-up culture has also been applied to scientific studies about sexually-transmitted infections. Knowing more information about a man or woman's behavior during casual sex has increased the understanding of how STIs are contracted, whether it is through oral sex or sexual intercourse, and how frequently or infrequently individuals take steps to prevent them.
Several scholars have critiqued how outside influences have shaped or contributed to hook-up culture as a whole. Many ideas and beliefs about the growing hook-up culture suggest the act of engaging in uncommitted sex is primarily found among teenagers or college students.
The stereotypes and different sexual scripts of males and females in hook-ups have also culture influenced greatly by different media, like movies, television, and pornography. These stereotypes have shaped current hook-up culture culture implying that this is how men and women are " supposed to act. On another note, scholars more info the reality of emotional risks associated with hooking-up can be linked to a lack of conversation or discussion about them.
Experts have suggested several areas for future research, including additional studies about how members of the LGBTQ community what impacted by hook-up culture, and how perceptions of the LGBTQ community have been affected by the hook-up culture.
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To reward your contribution, here is a gift for you: A free trial for our video production service. Thank you for your contribution! You can also upload a video entry or images related to this topic. Video Upload Options Do you have a full video? Send video materials Upload full video. Confirm Are you sure to Delete? Yes No. If you have any further questions, please contact Encyclopedia Editorial Office. Hook-Up Culture. Accessed October 27, In Encyclopedia. Copy Citation. Background The idea of hook-up culture is not a new concept.
Sexual Liberation Support for sexual freedom became what popular as new ideas and beliefs evolved about the positive and negative aspects of engaging in sexual intercourse. Feminism Feminism grew substantially in the s, with supporters arguing that a woman should have complete control over her own body. Other Factors Kathleen Bogle has stated what the growing acceptance of casual sex in the s could also be attributed to a sharp rise in female student enrollment at colleges and universities.
Gender and Sexuality 2. Gender Roles While both men and women participate in hook-ups, Bogle notes that males and females often choose casual sex for different reasons. Homosexuality Stereotypes suggest most people believe gay men are the most likely to engage in casual or uncommitted sex on a regular basis. Risks Most people choose to take part in hook-ups to experience physical intimacy and sexual pleasure, but this type of behavior can result in a variety of negative outcomes, too. Communication Theory The majority of academic research about hook-up culture focuses on the psychological, biological, and societal influences on an individual's inclination to engage in uncommitted sex, but some scholars have examined theories of communication and how they relate to hook-up culture.
Attachment Theory The premise behind John Bowlby's attachment please click for source is to "describe the behaviors that humans use to relate to one another.
Sexual Script Theory The way cultural norms affects someone's sexual habits and behavior is defined as sexual script theory. Cultivation Theory The concept of cultivation theory suggests "media influence people indirectly. Application Most research regarding hook-up culture has been reliant on conducting interviews and surveys with what active individuals, particularly those at a high school or college level. Research to Explain a "Hook-Up" Scholars have expressed the difficulty of hookup a hookup since it has different meanings based on cultural norms and personal preferences.
Influences of Dating Sites and Apps Another avenue of research has studied the influences of dating websites and mobile dating apps on hook-up culture. Understanding the Risks Research conducted on hook-up culture has also been applied to scientific studies about sexually-transmitted infections. Critique Several scholars have critiqued how outside culture have shaped or contributed to hook-up culture as a whole. Areas for Future Research Experts have suggested several areas for future research, including additional studies about how members of the LGBTQ community are impacted by hook-up culture, and how perceptions of the LGBTQ community have been affected by the hook-up culture.
References A. Hooking up : sex, dating, and relationships on campus. ISBN OCLC Garcia, Justin R. Review of General Psychology 16 2 : — ISSN PMID Journal of Sex Research 76— The end culture sex : how hookup culture is leaving a generation unhappy, sexually unfulfilled, and confused about intimacy. New York. University Honors Theses Paper Howard, Rhea; Perilloux, Carin Personality and Individual Differences 83— Qualitative Health Research 19 9 : — Journal of Social and Personal Relationships 19 5 : — Archives of Sexual Behavior.
Rethinking Relationships. Ainsworth, Mary The Behavioral and Brain Sciences 1 3 : — Archives of Sexual Behavior 43 1 : — Sex talk : the role of communication in intimate relationships. Santa Barbara, Calif. Communication Research Reports 25 3 : — Handbook of Relationship Initiation. New York: Psychology Press.