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Catch-All/Student Discussion Questions

Hook Up Culture

After reading the book Cheap Sex by Mark Regnerus, I began to think deeply about how his argument plays out in college social life. It is especially interesting to consider the hookup culture that is so prevalent on college campuses across the United States. Regnerus argues that women are more inclined to want commitment and marriage, and men are more inclined to want sex. I think this is particularly interesting because based on my conversations with friends, I know many men who are in a relationship or want a relationship, but I also know many who are not interested in a relationship or claim that they are not ready. Additionally, I know some women who are uninterested in a relationship, and many who would much rather be in a relationship than simply be hooking up with someone. When talking to my friend who goes to Cornell, she explained to me that the students there are so focused on success that many push aside relationships. She claims that she does not know more than 3 people who are currently in a relationship. I, on the other hand, know plenty of people who are in relationships at Bucknell. I think it is fascinating to consider individual cases and how they differ/compare to Regnerus’ ideas as well as how different contexts affect relationship trends.

3 replies on “Hook Up Culture”

Lily, I think you propose a very interesting argument with the varying levels of relationship popularity across different colleges. Regnerus talks about issues like hook up culture in a broad sense without considering the different pockets that exist in American society. In a way, this negligence is perfectly understandable as it would be nearly impossible to consider every individual community’s position on the matter. I do think it is important, however, that we should not jump to definitive conclusions about entire populations when talking about sensitive issues like this. At the opposite of the spectrum to your Cornell example, I know that many southern schools have strong tendencies to promote relationships. With major events and dances like cotillions, the environment is almost conducive to monogamous relationships instead of a hook up culture. And while the latter still exists without question, relationships are far more ubiquitous down south than even a place like Bucknell, where many students choose to be involved in steady relationships.

Michael, I like your position on certain events that promote relationships. For example, at formals, where a man is forced to bring a lady with them or vice versus. This creates a connection between the dates and introduces people into couples. Although formals can be casual, I think it brings acknowledgement of a relationship because no one wants to go to the formal alone. So, this sort of event falls into the category consisting of prom, balls, and homecoming dances. These events wouldn’t exist if people did not want others to mingle and be in couples. As a human race, simply, we survive and reproduce, and the only way to reproduce is with a person of opposite race. So, we need to have relationships and it is good that we have these functions at young ages because relationships occur at all stages of life.

I definitely agree that relationships and success in the work place often do not go hand-in-hand, while they are both heavy time commitments. And here at our school many look to strive for success and with many of my friends, that I have noticed are completely capable to have a relationship and be successful in their studies. Not to say Bucknell is any less knowledgeable or mounting in workload than Cornell, but maybe Bucknell students just have more time on their hands and are able to be in or think about being in a relationship.

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