Response to "The ‘Hook-Up’ Culture"

After reading the paper titled, “The ‘Hook-Up’ Culture,” some questions arose concerning the pros and cons of hooking up in college rather than pursuing a possible relationship. The paper’s main discussion point was that traditional dating was much better and safer than the hook up culture that is prevalent in colleges. . It is undeniable that meaningful relationships are rewarding on a variety of levels, including emotional and intellectual. However, hooking up also has its benefits. Because college students are so busy, being occupied by one person can become quite tiring and take away from important tasks such as schoolwork and meeting new people. Also, if things never get too sexual and irresponsible, what is really so terrible about kissing a person? There are no possibilities of pregnancy or life-threatening diseases and most of the time, those hook ups are a great way to distress after an exhausting workweek. Also if the author of the paper considers dating the better option, why do they refer to traditional dating as “outdated?” Hooking up may be a great way to release primitive human instincts for physical gratification without mixing in emotions and attachments. Also, whether we like to admit it or not, hooking up may lead to actual friendships and potential love interests. Although I understand that it is not the ideal way of connecting with someone, I think a lot of the time, people preach and over exaggerate the terrors of hooking up, when in actuality it is a common and acceptable part of growing up.