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TIME TO STOP HOOKING UP SYNTHESIS ESSAY

Introduction

According to this article by Donna Freitas, the hookup culture in most educational

institutions is leaving the younger generation confused about intimacy, sexually unfulfilled, and

unhappy (Freitas 1). The research conducted via questionnaires in data collection showed

students' views and their experiences in the University and their 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

hating 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 process of dating, 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.
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The research also noted that 32 percent of hookups on campus ended in kissing. This means that

within a time span of four years college degree, students probably engage in make-outs only

once. Another study conducted by (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 just to

fit in on campus. Peer pressure is common on campus, and students usually blend in according to

specific activities that the majority of students take part 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 just

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 in such a way that new

students behave the same way as those who joined the campus before they did (Townsend et al.,

1195). But still, every individual has the capacity to think and differentiate between wrong and
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right. Previously instilled values before the students join campus plays 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 that 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 to be 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, therefore, try it out with someone they how will not disappoint them, 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 for 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 knowing about each other

outdated. Most of the students would love such romantic treatment, but when in public, they go

about with the slogan," though shall not get attached" (Wade 187). This means the students are

not genuine as to what they truly want and only say what their peers would love to hear from

them. 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
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are opting 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 adopted by most of the campus students. However, instilling

high moral values before the students join campus is key to ensuring they stay on the right track

while maintaining their integrity.

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Works Cited

Freitas, Donna. The end of sex: How hookup culture is leaving 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.