There is no doubt that the whole hookup culture in America is having an impact on society. Many young women and men are getting into casual sex every day. Some claim that the entire Western culture is having a significant problem, while others rejoice.
How Is Sex Portrayed in Different Western Media?
People from all over the world are using modern technology and getting their information via the internet, television, and music. Whether we like it or not, the media influences all of us, at least to some extent. However, there is a significant difference between the sex as we see it in the media and sex in real life.
Many TV shows and movies show casual sexual relationships without any real consequences, while many promote something entirely different. The internet, too, is a porn hive, and some of the content can be quite explicit.
In short, not many outlets promote abstinence. The question is — should they?
We all saw people (even fictional ones) having one-night stands, and practicing casual sex so many times that it’s normal. Whether this is the right move or not, time will tell. But there is no doubt that this kind of behavior is almost a standard for many.
Hook Ups vs. Old Dating Habits
Before the whole internet era, people had to date, and they were, let’s be honest, quite conservative. A couple of decades ago, having more than one partner was atrocious, but hooking up with someone today is normal.
Courting that will develop into a relationship is almost dead. Everything is faster now, and many men and women are looking to skip the “boring” part and go straight to the juicy stuff. But the reality is that both ideas have flaws.
Chastity and abstinence were promoted for the wrong reasons. Most people avoided relationships to escape criticism and being scorned by society (and the church). And what can a person do to avoid the whole stigma behind sex other than just wait until they are “ready.”
Over the years, young people showed times and again that they are ready a lot sooner than society and religion claim, and they needed an escape. However, it seems that the whole thing spiraled out of control, and now, we’re at something opposite. People who aren’t having wild sex or hooking up are almost outlaws, and it looks like long-term relationships aren’t that desirable anymore.
What Drives the Hookup Culture?
The whole culture is usually associated with late adolescents in the U.S. Of course, this “movement” doesn’t have to represent sexual culture only, and hooking up can mean anything from kissing to casual sexual encounters.
So, what is the thing that drives the hookup culture? It seems that the answer to this question is both sex and freedom.
High school and college students are sexually active, that’s no secret. But they are probably looking for pleasure without pain. If you engage in casual sex, you won’t have to worry about “catching feelings” in the process. Instead, you can focus on physical pleasure and avoid emotional consequences that can be a part of the relationship. Or so many believe.
For some, it might be an escape, while for others, it is a way of having pleasure and enjoying life. Needless to say, some are tricked or even forced into it while being intoxicated. However, others are looking for a relationship despite everything.
Many adolescents see sex and relationship as two different things, and some people believe that this will lead to further problems. They claim that hookup culture will lead to an inability to form stable and intimate relationships in the future.
The Use of Dating Apps
In the modern era, finding sexual engagement seems easier than ever. Many people seem to skip the whole dating process now that you can contact anyone on the globe. Instead of meeting people in real life, you can chat with them and get to know them without ever seeing them in person.
Today, there are so many dating apps that ease the whole process. Some people say that these dating apps are what created the whole hookup culture. Whether the chicken or the egg came first, there is no doubt that apps like Grindr and Tinder made everything easier.
All you have to do is create a profile, write a little bit about yourself, and start searching for someone with at least similar interests. Once you have found someone you like, you can start chatting and getting to know each other before you meet in person.
The Risk of the Hookup Culture
Many see this kind of behavior as risky and dangerous, and to be honest, there are plenty of things that can go wrong. Without meeting someone in person, you won’t have any idea what they are like. People pretend, lie, and sweet talk online, and reality can be disappointing.
Of course, it would be unfair to ignore the fact that many people are sincere and genuinely looking for a relationship. But either way, being unconscious can have consequences.
Firstly, changing partners and having casual sex can lead to STDs. Casual sex doesn’t have to be a bad thing, but safety should always be a number one priority. Secondly, many people have access to the internet, including predators as well. People can be friendly and kind online, and reality can be the opposite. Casual sex and careless behavior can lead to non-consensual sex and many other problems.
Finally, for some, the whole hookup culture is not working. If the person is looking for a serious relationship, current trends might be problematic. Being denied something you desire or being hurt and emotional can lead to mental health problems like depression.
In reality, for some people out there, hookups are the best thing since sliced bread. But for others, it might turn out to be a nightmare.