Posted August 5, Reviewed by Ekua Hagan. For freshmen first arriving at college, the hookup scene is often an unexplored wonderland of boxed wine, cheap lingerie, and sweaty frat parties. Every Friday night, girls don their gold glitter eyeshadow, overpriced Urban Outfitters crop tops, and high-waisted shorts; guys spritz on some Axe, buy a pack, and adjust their snapbacks. After a few too many rounds of cheap vodka shots and Natty Lights, everyone piles into a dank frat house with dirty floors and not enough light, finds another mildly attractive but equally drunk person and makes out with them a bit.
Sometimes they go home together. Hundreds of people most of whom happen to be over 30 have analyzed, criticized, and studied this new subculture. As part of an anthropology class last fall, I interviewed 23 freshmen about hookup cultureβtheir experiences, whether they liked it, and why they did it. Many college students still have relationships, fall in love, and experience heartbreak.
Some also just happen to make out with random people at clubs, use Tinder as a way to meet people, and have lots of casual sex. The majority of both genders say they feel pretty good about the hookup scene, and many enthusiastically endorse it. First-year students want to explore their options and settle into college.
Is it so wrong to try to meet as many people as possible while avoiding a serious relationship in the process? Our generation has been labeled as commitment-phobes, but many of us embrace the independence and versatility that comes with a no-strings-attached lifestyle. In fact, research indicates that it can foster negative emotions in the long run. One friend at college always felt awful the next day, perfectly playing into the role of the heartbroken femaleβmoping around her dorm room, binge-eating chocolate, and watching cheesy Nicholas Sparks movies to compensate for the lack of emotional connection.
Another would freak out for hours about the mysterious texts she received from a guy who consistently treated her with disrespect. He would often have her come over, sleep with her, and then ask her to leave. Later, he might send a sweet text or two. It took her months before she stopped answering. So hookup culture has its drawbacks. Some students love it and others hate it.
