Hookup culture can have harmful effects on college students
Infographic by Elisa Zody โ Digital and Multimedia Editor
Data shows the negative effects hookup culture can have.
October 25, 2022
Once they enter college, many young adults may feel pressured into participating in hookup culture, which could be seen as something cool and what everyone is doing. However, no one talks about the negative consequences, such as the negative affect on mental well-being, of participating in hookup culture.
According to the National Library of Medicine, a study of 607 18 to 26-year-old undergraduate students showed that 45% of students who have participated in hookups have regretted it, and 27% have feelings of loneliness after a hookup. This study includes the risks of hookup culture, such as the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted pregnancy and pregnancy scares.ย
Laura E. Klinger, in an article published in College Student Affairs Leadership, said women overwhelmingly experience more negative outcomes than men when participating in hookup culture.ย
โIn a sample of 291 sexually active students, womenโs depressive symptoms increased incrementally with their number of sexual partners. However, this result was not found for male participants,โ Klinger said in the article.ย
Women also have more potential consequences when it comes to casual hookups. In addition to these possible consequences, I believe sex is an emotional connection, and is not meant to be done casually.
โSex is a very intimate thing to share with somebody, so I wouldnโt advertise going around and sharing it with every other person or every person that you met. It is something that you should share with the person that you know and that you are emotionally intimate with,โ junior Cecely Zamora said.
Also, Zamora said hookups can lead to low self-esteem in women and many women struggle with the feeling of needing to change the way they look.
โInstead of seeing the person as they are on the inside, paying attention to the really important things, they are more paying attention to our bodies and the physical lust component instead of seeing for what the person is made of, and I think that is also kinda transitioning to how womenโhow we perceive our own bodies as well,โ Zamora said.ย
According to the National Institute of Health, 43.1% of people who lived together and participated in pre-marital sex have lower marital satisfaction, lower dedication, negative communication and higher likelihood of divorce.ย By not participating in hookup culture in college, young adults are more likely to find long-lasting partners and less likely to go through divorce later in life.ย
This is something as a community we can come together to bring awareness to. Hookup culture should not be normalized and students should be more conscientious about the many negative effects hookup culture has on young adults.ย
โItโs not only affecting college campuses, but it is transitioning into high school as well, going into younger generations,โ Zamora said.ย
It is especially important that we teach young women to value themselves and inspire women to not be pressured by hookup culture. By not normalizing hookup culture on college campuses, we are helping lower the amount of STD infections, unwanted pregnancies and harmful mental health effects.
Al Nascimento • Oct 25, 2022 at 10:43 am
“According to the National Institute of Health, 43.1% of people who lived together and participated in pre-marital sex have lower marital satisfaction, lower dedication, negative communication and higher likelihood of divorce.”
The article you link only talks about pre-engagement couples living together, which was 43.1% of the data pool. There’s a portion of that group that claimed to have lower marital satisfaction, but nonetheless is a different number entirely.
Also while having multiple partners raises the risk of STDs and unwanted pregnancies, we have resources on this campus to lower that risk. This is only a problem if you’re not safe and refuse to take proper precautions. I’m not entirely sure what you mean by “not normalizing hookup culture”, but it sounds more like “don’t have premarital sex” and that’s an extremely personal choice that should not be generalized in the form of a public article.
James O'Sullivan • Feb 23, 2023 at 1:09 am
Nothing personal, but this comment is very irrational and sounds like talking out of feelings. Many studies have been done on this topic and it has been proven that the hookup culture can be harmful to many women. And no, “not normalizing hookup culture” doesn’t sound like “don’t have premarital sex”. It’s a fallacy. It very much sounds like sexual intercourse should be done in an intimate relationship, but not with every person you meet at the club. Every person on this earth has the right to do whatever they want with their lives and their bodies, but every action has consequences. Denying it is a form of delusion.
D. N. • Oct 25, 2022 at 10:09 am
“Hooking up can have both a positive and negative impact on college students. For example, most students describe hooking up as a positive experience (Lewis, Granato, Blayney, Lostutter, & Kilmer, 2012; Owen & Fincham, 2011) associated with feelings of empowerment, attractiveness, and excitement (Fielder, Walsh, Carey, & Carey, 2013; Paul & Hayes, 2002).” From your source.