Sawyer, Andrew: Sexual Health

            An article in The Chronicle of Higher Education summarizes the findings of University of Portland Sociology professor Martin A. Monto. He researched the differences in the sexual activities of college students from 1988 to 1996 from that of college students from 2002 to 2010.

Mr. Monto found that the national survey data he compared do not support the idea that the sexual behavior of college students is significantly different than in years past. Thus, Mr. Monto contends that there is no evidence of a ‘hook up culture.’

The meaning of ‘hook up’ is uncertain. Some consider making out ‘hooking up’ but to others ‘hooking up’ involves sex.

According to Mr. Monto’s research, the youth of today are not having sex more frequently or with a larger variety of partners. In fact, his findings show that today’s youth are less likely to have sex weekly.

            Mr. Monto found some differences between the two generations of students. One difference is today’s students are more likely to have sex with a friend or a casual acquaintance. Another difference is today’s students are less likely to date, marry, or have a regular sexual partner.

            Kathleen A. Bogle was not surprised Mr. Monto’s conclusions. She contended that “The term hooking up has been widely used on college campuses since the mid-1980s.” Thus, she said the similarities between the two groups are not shocking.

            The article concludes by simply stating the data. Fifty nine percent of college students have sex at least once a week, and over the span of a year 32 percent have had sex with multiple partners.

            Based on what I have observed, I assume that college students have the choice whether or not to have sex. Since I have chosen abstinence, I am personally ignorant of hook up culture.