Reviewing the Hook-up Culture

After browsing many relevant posts, I settled on The Hook-up Culture, a fascinating read by all means.

Common knowledge that seems to be drawn on in this article includes the effects of alcohol on the body, the effects of parties on their revelers. These two combined, as the vast majority of college students know, creates an environment summarized in the term, "hook-up." This, too, is common knowledge, celebrated in the American Pie movies, and TV shows like Greek. But, by far the most important common knowledge in this piece is characterized by the quote near the end of the essay; "consume vast amounts of alcohol to get sex immediately." This is a defining feature, it would seem, of today's youth. We are constantly criticized for insisting on having what we want now. Everything, from news, entertainment, and as this essay shows, sex as well.

There are a good number of complex questions being asked in this essay, not the first of which is, "why do people hook up?" Other questions include, "why don't teens today date as much," "do teens really take pleasure in the hook-up culture?" Most people would attribute the seeming need to hook-up to the aforementioned immediate gratification. However, I think these habits are better defined by the need to push the envelope, and explore their environment. It is basic human nature, not something wrong with the youth of today, that leads teenagers to drink and party. Furthermore, when the thrill of the new fades, so does the irresponsible behavior. Because upper-classmen control themselves, the hook-up culture seems to be a hook-up phase instead. All of a sudden, the entrenched belief about the college dating scene, or lack therof, becomes a personal choice. This brings the questions back to why people choose to hook up in the first place. Because obsevations has shown that freshmen are more likely to be a part of that culture, freshman must choose to participate. Part of the encouragement comes from the people running the parties freshmen attend, but a good majority is due to the raging hormones that kick into high gear on friday nights.

While the essay makes a good, solid argument as to the nature of college social life, the truth seems much more buried in personal choice than the lack of options. The use of credible sources enhances the definition, and outlines the author's argument, but only briefly reaches the underlying reasons why such behavior occurs. The most important part of the essay, by far, is simply that the author brings up the issue of hooking-up in the first place. Sometimes, people need to be hit with the reality of their actions, as well as the potential repercussions; this article drills both points home.