Random sex

It is all to common nowadays that men and women engage in casual hookups. The terms “friends with benefits”, “casual sex”, and “one night stands” all mean the same thing, a kind of sex with no strings attached. Hookup culture had its beginning in the first few decades of the 20th century. However, the practice of random sex has been around since the 1800’s. This phenomenon has been both a cultural and historical occurrence. In the 19th century, casual sex involved men with prostitutes. This kind of sex was transitory in nature, and no relationship outside sex was expected.

It was only during the time of the sexual revolution that random sex became socially acceptable. This means that pre-marital or non-marital sex became prevalent and have been a regular activity among college students. According to some studies, hookup culture became a common trend because people began marrying later than the generation before them. This resulted to more people exploring casual sex, because as people became sexually mature, their psychological and social maturity did not follow suit. 

The past decades has seen the rise of hookups and their acceptance. A lot of studies delved into the scientific and sociological factors involved in hookup culture. Hookup culture sits in the crossroads of many fields such as psychology, anthropology, biology, and public health. Sex research on human sexuality has thought of hookup culture as engaging in sex as a form of sexual gratification minus the emotional and commitment aspect of a relationship. 

Although casual sex involves a sexual relationship between people, hooking up is an umbrella term which involves other acts such as kissing, making out, and oral sex. It is intimacy in the context of satisfying sexual desires. It is said that men are more likely to have a friends with benefits relationship with many partners at the same time. This can happen an ex partner, a friend, or someone that they know casually. 

The occurrence of random sex I history was more common in white male college students. At present, there is a prevalence of American college students that engage in sexual activities. Some studies have reported that some people who engage in hookups have experienced negative emotions afterwards such as regret and depression.

With a smartphone dating app and hookup app or a dating website, it is easier now to engage in random sex with people you meet online. These websites make it possible for people who do not previously know each other to be given a chance to meet up, date, or engage in sexual activities.  Not only heterosexuals but the gay males also have hookup apps to meet other gay men such as Grindr and Scruff. 

According to studies, the propensity for casual sex lessens as people age. However, the instances of casual sex are still significant in number among adults. It is also said that one contributing factor to teens engaging in hookups early in their lives is the media and online culture. With television shows normalizing sexuality, teens feel that sexual behavior is normal and that partying and sex are normal teen behaviors. 

There is also a correlation between hookups and alcohol. Usually, parties that have alcohol allows an intoxicated environment, which lowers the inhibition of individuals. Some studies show that the higher the level of intoxication, the more likely to engage in riskier behavior such as a hookup. 

According to another study, people who engage in many hookups have underlying psychological problems. Some studies have shown that college students who have engaged in casual sex are more likely to have experienced depression, PTSD, anxiety and other mental issues  at one point in their lives. It is also noteworthy that some studies show that most people who engage in casual sex feel uncomfortable or are uncertain about doing it. Some people also feel pressured doing the act and have anxiety in the situation. 

Another interesting study is the double standard that exists between men and women regarding hookups. According to research, men engage in casual sex to gain experience in sex while women engage in sex with the hopes of elevating the casual relationship into a long term one.