Scripts for Actual First Date and Hanging-Out Encounters Among Young Heterosexual Hispanic Adults

Abstract

This research presents two studies examining scripts for the actual initial romantic encounters of young heterosexual Hispanic adults in the Southeastern U.S. In Study 1, 242 Hispanic undergraduates were asked to describe their most recent first romantic encounter using a cognitive script methodology, and then to classify the encounter as being a date, hangout, hookup, one-night stand, or other type of encounter. Encounters were most frequently classified as a date, followed by hangouts; very few individuals indicated that their most recent encounter was a hookup or one-night stand. Dates were described as highly gender stereotypic, with men performing significantly more actions overall than women. The date script also included more gender-typed actions, was more structured, and was considered more ideal than a hangout. In Study 2, a checklist of 60 actions derived from Study 1 was used to assess the most recent initial romantic encounters of 217 Hispanic undergraduates. Dates were reported most frequently, followed by hangouts. Dates continued to be highly gender stereotyped with men being responsible for more actions than women, and the date script continued to include more gender-typed actions than the hangout. A date was also more structured and rated as more ideal and satisfying than a hangout. The predominance of and preference for dates, the most gender-typed way for young adults to get together romantically, was consistent with Hispanic cultural norms that support traditional gender roles.