Review of Literature
The American society is highly sexualized; however engaging in hooking up is still criticized (Allison & Risman, 2013). Double standards related to hooking up among college males and females still exist (Stinson, 2012). There are several factors which play a role in the different attitude patterns as it pertains to college student’s engagement in hooking up. These factors range from how one defines hooking up, to the social contexts one experience, and the gender of college students.
College Students Interpretations of Hooking Up
Hooking up can vary in meaning; depending on how one defines it. Lewis, Atkins, Blayney, Dent, and Kaysen, (2013) conducted an experiment on college students using internet surveys to see how
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When females engage in hooking up the expectation is things will lead to a relationship, whereas males do not expect this (Stinson, 2012). Females are also concerned with the reputation following a hook up and males not so much (Allison &, Risman, 2013). The reasoning is males and females are held to different standards (Stinson, 2013). It was reported however, students are starting to lose respect for both genders who partake in hooking up, so males are now concerned with their reputation as well (Helm et. al, 2015). It is also thought when campuses or social activities are male dominate different attitudes can be seen from both genders (Allison &, Risman, 2013). One example mentioned was the engagement of college male’s in Fraternities. The popularity gained from participating increase one’s power to influence other students on campus. When this happens the disrespect of females who hook up increases and if the female does not conform to the social norm she is considered an outcast. Finding a balance between the two can be difficult for females (Allison &, Risman, 2013). There are some differences and similarities seen in college male and female attitudes as it relates to hooking up, but there is more researcher needed to explore …show more content…
As it pertains to hooking up and different attitude patterns seen in both college males and females there is supporting research. The factors discussed, how one defines hooking up, social experiences, and gender all contribute to the topic at hand. However, Helm et. al, (2015) stated there is further research needed on gender differences. One thing is for certain double standards still exist even while hooking up is the norm (Reiber & Garcia, 2010). The reason for hooking up becoming a norm is unclear, but there are speculations (Stinson, 2012). Finally, there are also inconsistencies and other factors, which interfere with researcher data. Some of the other factors are due to, most research being focused on heterosexuals and Caucasian Americans, which excludes people with other sexual orientations and different ethnicities (Stinson, 2012). Excluded as well are males and females who are not attending
Conor Kelly argues in her article, “Sexism in Practice: Feminist Ethics Evaluating the Hookup Culture” that the hookup culture is sexist and disempowers women. Although, he mentions it is difficult to define “hooking up” but majority of the students will agree that it involves “some level of sexual activity without the constraints and expectations of a relationship” (Kelly 65). In other words, when two people have casual sex with no strings attached, when they both finish they both can go on with their lives without
In the essay by Vanderkam, she says that hook ups “have all but replaced dating at most colleges” (Vanderkam 345). Some support that she uses when proving this was that she said “only half of the women .. had been on six or more dates...a third had been on no more than two” (Vanderkam 345). This shows that this is not just some fad that some kids at colleges are trying to start but rather it is something that is already implemented and has affected most college students. In the short story, Jackson was explaining how all of the citizens were coming together for the lottery when she said “The other boys soon followed his example” after she had saw one boy who had picked up some stones on the way to the lottery. Later in the day after the selection process of the lottery had been completed a person from the crowd yelled “Come on, come on, everyone” (Jackson 1243). Both of these quotes show how quickly the citizens are to listen to and follow the actions of other people. These qualities have even been taught to the children. These two texts show how people are quick to follow the lead of another and that stems down to the younger generation which means that the trait of following will only continue to grow. Also in the essay, Vanderkam said that hook ups have “pervade[d] college culture” (345). This shows
As stated in the book, “college students have much to teach about sex” (8). That is because the values, ideologies, and worldviews of the students are representative of greater American culture. Although flawed, hookup culture on American campuses hold the possibility of accepting a culture of inclusivity, care, pleasure, and freedom while also rejecting predatory behavior, racism, classism, and abuse. Dismissing hookup culture all together is blind to the reality that young adults are going to have sex, and since sex is non-negotiable, one’s aim should be to foster open dialogue and critical thought onto a future where everyone enjoys the ability to freely explore sexuality, sex, and gender on their own
Despite the widespread notion that the hookup culture found across college campuses today is both desired and prevalent throughout Americas advanced educational institutions, Donna Freitas, a professor of religion at Boston College has found quite the opposite to be true. In fact, in her article Sex, Lies, and Hookup Culture, which addresses the distasteful but unavoidable subject, she presents extensive data from her numerous studies which attest that, surprisingly, the majority of students on campuses nationwide are in solidarity with college administrators, church leaders, and other organizations who support the eradication of the harmful culture. However, while such evidence would seem to support an expected quick destabilization of the hookup culture in today’s society, Freitas article notes that unfortunately it continues to persist strongly.
In reaction to the media’s numerous stigmas around college hookup culture in recent years, sociologists and psychologists have begun to investigate adolescent and young adult hookups more systematically. In “Is Hooking Up Bad for Young Women?” by Elizabeth A. Armstrong, Laura Hamilton and Paula England, this issue is addressed through a reaction to previous articles from sources on opposite sides. One side of the argument over sexual activity for young women places them at risk of “low self esteem, depression, alcoholism, and eating disorders,” while the other side argues that the underlying issue is the “moral panic over casual sex.” This issue has been seen by many as a “sudden and alarming change in youth sexual culture,” but systematic research has shown that experiences of young women in college
Donna Freitas in The End of Sex gives her thoughts on how hookup culture is affecting specifically college students. Her judgment comes out of a space where she wants, “to empower them (participants in hookups) to seek the kinds of relationships they want…” (16). Though her perspective comes from a good place, her argument has points that are shaming, archaic, dismissive, and one sided. Her argument seems to be that of a pro-woman stance at times, neglecting one of the key feminism ideals of choice. Freitas uses patriarchal arguments to back up her ideas, tarnishing her perspectives that come off as woman empowering. The book, The End of Sex, neglects to be conscious of female independence
According to the article “Tinder and the Dawn of the “Dating Apocalypse,’” “People used to meet their partners through proximity, through family and friends, but now Internet meeting is surpassing every other form” (Sales). Jo Sales’ point is that the Internet is overtaking other ways of meeting a partner. In the past, the way of finding one’s potential partner was through family members, but now society is moving in the direction of using the Internet as a way to find their partners. Students in college provided a great amount of information regarding hookup culture, which supported Jo Sales arguments. According to Martin Monto and Anna Carey, “Current research and the popular media have claimed that the hookup culture is a widespread phenomenon that has replaced traditional dating...” (Monto and Carey 606). In making this comment, traditional relationships that were once said to be loving and caring have moved to sexual activity called hookups. Research shows how hookup culture has overtaken the roots of traditional dating and will continue to expand in the future. The study shows how college students were involved in one-night stands frequently knowing that they do not want to build a long lasting relationship. Traditional dating in the past formed stable relationships, and the idea of hookup culture was not even a topic of discussion. Questions
In "Fraternities and Collegiate Rape Culture" Ayres Boswell and Joan Z. Spade analyze the social perspective of the gendered relations in male fraternities that add to the high rate of violence against women on many college campuses. They list a host of factors that distinguish higher-risk from lower-risk atmospheres discussing the rates of rape in colleges and state how "1 out of 4 college women say they were raped or experienced an attempted rape" (217). Additionally, "1 out of 12 college men say they forced a woman to have sexual intercourse against her will" (Boswell, Spade 217). In other words Boswell and Spade indicated that the rates were high when it came down to women getting raped in colleges by men who also attended those colleges. In addition, Boswell and Spade specify in how most people are aware of rape but know very little about rape culture (Boswell, Spade 217).
Connor Kelly highlights and brings insight to the development and cultural effect the hookup culture has evoked on college campuses in “Feminist Ethics Evaluating the Hookup Culture”. Connor starts out with the statement: “Hooking up-the practice of pursuing sexual activity without any expectation of a relationship” (Kelly 27). It is also explained that hooking up can constitute as kissing, sexual intercourse, or anywhere in between. The mystery of the “in-between” allows individuals to participate in the hookup culture as a means to fit in, without being specific on what level of sexual activity they are partaking in. A main theme of this article can be described by the idea that hooking up allows for a greater realm of independence than
Young adults in college typically are not looking for commitment, but rather a positive sexual experience. Two outlets for this preference are friends with benefits (FWB) and hookups. Hookups involve two people engaging in sexual activity with the foreknowledge that there are “no strings attached”. For people who actively avoid commitment, and emotional involvement hookups are preferential. This is because the two can engage in meaningless sex for the sake of pleasure. I remember once reading a New York Times article that calls hookups appealing because they are low cost, low investment engagements. Factors such as the false consensus effect, social media, and the modern collegian attitude influence the
In Hookups Starve the Soul, an essay by Laura Vanderkam, Mrs. Vanderkam argues the fact that the real problem with hookups is not the act of promiscuity, but rather the lack of meaning behind it. I believe one is entitled to do whatever he or she pleases, with his or her body. Having the ability to hook up, particularly for college students, forces the person to become more confident and comfortable along with giving the participant a sense of power. On the contrary, through this sexual freedom, men and women are still held to different standards.
...ve begins generating rumors for male peers who do not qualify as a stereotypical male. For instance, Olive pretends to have sex with a male peer during a popular house party (Gluck, 2010). This imaginary hook-up benefits the male peer’s bullying dilemma. Again, gender policing occurs between men when masculinity is questioned (Kimmel, 2008). “One survey found that most Americans boys would be rather be punched in the face than called gay” (Kimmel, 2000, p.77). The gender police govern Olive’s and the male peer’s status in social standings. America’s obsession with sex disregards if a girl truly sleeps around.
The hookup culture has become deeply ingrained in the college experience, all across the country students are fulfilling their desires while preserving their autonomy. On the surface the hookup culture doesn’t sound so bad, however, I am going to argue that the hookup culture itself stems from and promulgates problematic societal inequalities. I will develop my claim by first discussing the dominance of the hookup culture and the societal pressure placed on those who don’t want to participate or are unsure about participating in what the culture has to offer. Then, I will illustrate why the general dynamic of the heterosexual hookup is an uneven playing field even for women who actively choose to participate in the hookup culture. Finally,
This macrosystem is what the college students see as a whole. These are the so-called norms to follow. Sex over the years finds its way from a taboo to an "everyone 's doing it" attitude. Mothers and fathers would never tell their child about sex. The child did not even know that there parents still had sex after they were born. Today, it is a general understanding or ideology that all people have sex all the time. College students, thus do not find anything wrong with it and it does not help that they in general find themselves invincible. The culture of a college student includes studies during the week and parties on the weekend. The parties are full of fun and the nights are generally filled with boys taking different girls home every night. This culture will only bring on negative effects and it has been found that college students have a higher chance of acquiring an STD. Every aspect of the systems has shown direct correlation with why college students have more
Paul, E. L., & Hayes, K. A. (2002). The casualties of “casual” sex: A qualitative exploration of the phenomenology of college students’ hookups. Journal of personal and Social Relationships, 19, 639-661.