Abstract
This study presents an exploratory analysis of the meaning of “hooking up” based on 1) academic literature, and 2) the perspective of college students from differing backgrounds. The authors investigated definitions of hooking up based on scholarly articles derived from search engine results and then from college students’ responses to an open-ended question on an online survey (N=358). Coding was used to identify themes that emerged from the data with the goal of understanding what the phrase means and whether the research is in line with students’ perspectives. Additionally, the authors sought to examine whether differences exist based on demographic variables. The findings revealed that the phrase “hooking up” predominantly represents sexual behavior ranging from kissing to sexual intercourse in the research base, but has been more narrowly constructed among college students. Gender differences also emerged, with males being more likely than females to view hooking up as involving sex rather than a broader range of sexual behaviors. A discussion follows and highlights directions for future research.
Highlights
What is “hooking up”? Does it pertain to sexual intercourse alone or can it involve oral sex, fondling, and/or any acts of affection like kissing? Does it involve any emotional connections? Can it be completely innocent, non-sexual gatherings? Is this phrase universal among young adults or do differences exist based on background variables? Many questions exist on this under-researched topic
This paper will investigate the meaning of “hooking up” from the academic research base and from responses provided by college students to determine whether mutual agreement exists on its meaning and whether research corresponds to real life
Examining the definitions found among college students revealed that the vast majority of respondents (94.2%) considered “sexual behavior”, whether sex alone, any behavior ranging from kissing to sex, or any intimate behavior not including sex (Table 2)
Summary
What is “hooking up”? Does it pertain to sexual intercourse alone or can it involve oral sex, fondling, and/or any acts of affection like kissing? Does it involve any emotional connections? Can it be completely innocent, non-sexual gatherings? Is this phrase universal among young adults or do differences exist based on background variables? Many questions exist on this under-researched topic. This paper will investigate the meaning of “hooking up” from the academic research base and from responses provided by college students to determine whether mutual agreement exists on its meaning and whether research corresponds to real life. We are increasingly hearing about “hooking up” as a staple of American culture Among young adults, such encounters have been thought to arise from the mixing of young men and women in a culture where individuals marry at a later age, in part due to the expectation of attending college (which comes with the subsequent burden of paying off loans), and possibly due to sexual revolution that comes with independence and even technological advancements. Double standards of sexuality still exist here in the states, males and females have been participating in what has become known as the “hook up” culture at similar rates [2]
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