Hooking Up Much of Modern

Hooking Up Much of modern culture surrounds new forms of socialization. We now utilize text, email and social networks more than face-to-face or even voice conversation. Humans have always been driven by their biological desires, though, and as cultural changes evolve, so does the manner in which individuals fulfill those needs for companionship, love, and lust.

According to the research, modern culture makes a strong delineation between the psychological forms of intimacy and the physical needs of sexual activity; in fact between 21 and 32% of college students surveyed had not been on dates since they started college. This is a dramatic change over the past five decades, through the 50s, the 60s "free love culture," and the pre-AIDS culture of casual sex. Today, there is a clear distinction between "hanging out" (friends), "hooking up" (sexual partners), or "dating" (relationship).

And, even within these definitions there is variation; some are FWB (Friends with Benefits) implying friends, sexual partners, but nothing serious or long-term to the casual "booty call" or "hook up" which is primarily focused on sexual activity (Skolnick, 1999, 144). One does not really even need to "like" a hook up -- just be attracted to them in some way sexually, and then walk away, as student's say, NSA (no strings attatched).

Research shows that there are several reasons for this trend, again, depending on the particular demographic profile of the individual one or the other might be more or less important. The first, of course, is the most obvious: people feel the need to have sex without the encumberance of the time and investment of a relationship.

Women are far more open about their sexual needs now, and although a double standard exists that it is more "permissible" for a young man to have a raging libido, women also cruise for sex (Ibid., 150). Second, there is the electronic and social availabilty of sexual partners; whatever one's sexual desire, it can usually be found using online sites that connect like-minded individuals in a non-judgmental manner for a quick encounter.

Many report that it is much easier with their busy schedules, work, school, career, to simply go online, find a partner, and not worry about extended emotional entanglements (Anonymous Sex, 1999). Third, birth control and condoms (for STD control as well) are far more available, as are clinics and a woman's access to birth control. Despite the issues of disease, many young people feel invincible, and especially when relaxing or alchohol is involved, tend to see sexual activity as a process for unwinding, not necessarily a sharing of intimacy between people.

In fact, many believe that sex is not the most intimate activity they have with another person. When barriers to behavior fall because of substances, one of the responses is to seek physical pleasure. There are also more pharmaceuticals on the market now that, legal or illegal, enhance or intensify sexual pleasure: the Viagra types for male erection, Esctacy for both, Amyl Nitrate as an additional high, and more (What Drugs have You Used To Enhance Sex?, 2007).

Still, despite almost 50 years of Women's Liberation, Sex Education classes, more openness regarding sexual activity, and more information available to young people; a clear double standard exists. Most college students said that college men were far more intent on satisfying their own needs and neglecting their female partner. Many men enjoy oral sex, but refuse to perform it on their partner. In.