Deese, Kate: Sexual Health

Sex has always been a hot topic among young adults. Coming from an explicit high school environment, I developed a number of opinions toward that particular subject, having been exposed to some rather interesting teenage relationships. In college, sex is commonly seen as being much more casual, often leading to a multitude of partners. However, Marc Parry’s discussion on the frequency and definition of hooking up could provide argument against the universally held ideas associated with the prevalence of sex in college. Through analysis of Parry’s article, I propose that hooking up has not increased among college students, but rather the culture itself has changed.

            Transitioning into a young adult has left me with a somewhat better understanding of the different kinds of relationships. Although my college career has just begun, the first few weeks at SAU gave me a direct insight into the differences between dating and hooking up. As a girl, I was filled with false illusions of Prince Charming coming to sweep me off my feet. However, as I came to realize, romance is much harder to come by in comparison to sex. “No-strings-attached” partners seem to fill the market, and the traditional dating world is a bit more uncommon.  

            Casual sex is said to be on the rise, but I believe it’s the culture itself that has changed. Sex is not a new topic. Casual sex was even present and often considered comedic as far back as ancient times. A prime example is Aristophanes’ comedy “Lysistrata” which is influenced by the humorous aspects of sexual practices. The actual act of hooking up has not changed, but the modern acceptance and promotion of a sex-filled culture through songs, television, and other forms of media undoubtedly contrasts earlier time periods.

            Marc Parry stated that only 59 percent of college students actively have sex more than once a week. When comparing this to the 1970s and 1980s time period of free love, it seems as though the practice of hooking up has remained fairly constant, but traditional dating is much more unpopular. The idea of romance certainly becomes more unrealistic as I continue to grow older. However, I believe there are a number of exceptions to the stereotype associated with the presence of sex in college, and these exceptions will keep traditional practices alive for a number of years.