For some, hooking up is a shameful term that denotes debaucherous and regrettable sexual escapades. For others, it may simply be interpreted as a good time. The latter definition of the term has become increasingly more accepted, and for good reason. Casual sex confers many positive outcomes, and the changing perception of casual sex in society has made it more accessible for everyone.
Never before has there been a better time to participate in hookup culture than right now. With apps like Bumble and Tinder, hookups can quite literally be just a few finger swipes away. And what better time in life to give it a go than when thousands of others looking for hookups are within walking distance?
Being in walking distance of a health clinic makes engaging in hookup culture even easier (as well as safer). Student Health Services provides many aides to safely have casual sex such as the three free condoms a day allowance, STD and STI screening, and emergency contraceptives like the plan B pill.
In order to make the most of college hookup culture, one should acknowledge why they want to have casual sex. If the main reason for doing it is because you want to have sex or something of a similar nature, then by all means sow those wild oats. If, however, one’s reasoning is more problematic, such as the need to feel desired, then perhaps one should evaluate if casual sex is really the right choice for them.
It is entirely possible for hookups to lead to regret if they are initiated in the wrong manner. One of the biggest causes of regretting casual sex mentioned by Psychology Today are hookups that are induced by alcohol. In these situations, hookups are a lot riskier because of the element of consent being muddied and the elevation in risk of improper contraception use. The impairment of judgement can lead to a person making many questionable decisions such as bad hookups. When it comes to hooking up with a stranger, it is advisable to go very easy on the alcohol or to just leave it out of the night’s plan entirely.
Often times when people speak of the negative effects that one-night stands have, they point to the “exploitative” nature of it towards women. A study done at Syracuse University, however, points to the opposite. When asked why they hooked up with someone, 80 percent of women stated that they did so because they “wanted to have sex.” Women, too, can and do enjoy casual sex without any exploitation surrounding the situation.
Additionally, even when people report having feelings or regret, studies often fail to report the other emotions that people have post-hookup. A study at the College of New Jersey found that 17 percent of students predominantly regretted their hookup, but that 65 percent of students predominantly enjoyed the experience.
And, it’s not like hooking up excludes one from having committed relationships later on in life. In fact, according to Psychology Today, many hookups result in committed relationships and are often done with the intention of turning into a relationship as well.
For people who are more sexually liberated, research published in the journal of Social, Psychological and Personality Science has shown that hooking up can in fact boost one’s self esteem and act as a de-stressor for them. What is there to not love about sex with the added benefit of increasing your overall well-being?
Of course, if casual sex is not aligned with one’s personal morals then they should stand clear of hookup culture, but to those who are not morally opposed, take some time to treat yourself by going out and sowing those wild oats while you can.
