Introduction
In the book “Hooking Up: Sex, Dating and Relationship on Campus” by Kathleen Bogle’s gives a review of the cultural concept of “hooking up.” The primary focus of the author is to address the recent behavior trends in Campuses and Universities about the uncommitted sexual encounters that are being experienced in these institutions (Bolge, 4). These sexual encounters are replacing the traditional known dating procedures and script. Therefore, the book gives a better explanation of the behaviors, results, and emotions associated with the sexual interaction. The author uses interviewing research method to collect her data. Thus, she asked her interviewers question to try to deduct common characteristics in the hook up experiences among her respondents. The researcher conducted interviews from one small campus and a large state university (Bogle, 6). Thus, the main objective of the interviews is to understand the term hook up. Hence, Bogle allowed her respondents to define the word hook up in their own words. The respondents’ definition of the word hookup demonstrated the ambiguity of term; since, participants offered different definitions. Some termed as kissing while other referred it as sexual intercourse. Thus, she suggested the term “hooking up” may be deliberately unclear, as it enables readers to interpreter it on their own words. Bogle’s outlines several themes of hook up culture that have emerged in today campus life. These themes include sex, dating, and relationship. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to describe the themes outlined by Kathleen Bogle.
Sex Behavior Theme
Sex Differences
One of theme main in Hook Up describes the sex differences as identified from the author’s interviews. Through the interviews, one can identify that there is the existence of a sexual double standard for men and women in campus society. Therefore, men and women are held to different opinion and views due to their sexual conducts (Bogle, 96). Thus, men are praised and acknowledged for their heterosexual contacts, while girls are stigmatized for the same behaviors (Bogle, 97).
Sexual Engagement
Once partners start to interact with a Hookup encounter, individually they determine how far they are willing to go regarding sex. Thus, a person moral beliefs and values factors into how one’s actions towards sex life (Bogle, 72). Therefore, understanding sexual behavior in hookup context is difficult since hookup involves a wide range of sexual conducts. For instance, it is normal for some to relate hook up to “just kissing” while other considers hook up as “sexual intercourse (Bogle, 75).” Thus, the sexual culture norm of hookup is determined by the individuals in involve in it.
Relationship and Hook up Theme
“Hookup” Relationship
A relationship is another theme that is in Bogle’s book. A hookup encounter could lead to different results. First, the highest outcome probability of hookup is “nothing (Bogle, 127).” Therefore, most likely the individuals involved in hookup parts away after they have encounter one another and their relationship remains the way it was before. Thus, if the people in hookup were friends, their relationship remains the same, and if they were the acquaintance, they become friendlier in their next meeting (Bogle, 133).
The main aspect of Hookup relationship is that no strings and feelings attached. The guys involved in hookup relationship remains intact. The research illustrated that they might feel awkward after the encounter. Although the outcome of hookup is nothing, it doesn’t prevent the partners to hookup again. Moreover, the repeated hookup doesn’t always imply that the guys might be in a relationship (Bogle, 137). Occasionally, people involved in the hookup are likely to meet only on the weekend.
“Seeing each other” Relationship
Another relationship that is the outcome of hookup is known as “seeing each other.” This type of relationship is released when there are several numbers of repeated hookups. Under this type of relationship, the guys in hookup organize a hang out several times to talk with each other. There no commitment and this type of relationships are short-lived (Bogle, 137). The women indicated that the men’s commitment determines the relationship continuity. The lowest probability of the hookup outcome is a real relationship.
Dating Theme
Traditional Dating
The college students have abandoned the traditional known norm of dating. They have recognized the traditional dating method is not a current mechanism that one could use to have a partner (Bogle, 158). Therefore, nowadays relationships start by hooking up. The dating and date terms are still used in campuses without as much weight they held before. The dating is used by the individuals who are in “seeing each other” relationship (Bogle, 159). The students in this bracket do not go for dinner or date as it was under traditional dating.
Dating Vs. Hooking Up
Dating and hooking up have different norms of behavior, although sometimes the similarities might occur they are very distinct (Bogle, 158). Dating occurred when men requested the interested woman to go out with him. The man would request in advances and give the lady time to prepare. Whereas, hook up is unplanned interactions while a lady or man can start the interaction.
Conclusion
The primary focus of the study is the understanding of the concept of hooking up in relations to sex behaviors, dating and relationship in campuses and universities today. These sexual encounters are replacing the traditional known dating procedures and script (Bogle, 163). Therefore, the book gives a better explanation of the behaviors, results, and emotions associated with the sexual interaction. The author uses interviewing research method to collect his data. Thus, she asked her interviewers question to try to deduct common characteristics in the hook experiences among her respondents.
References
Bogle, K. A. (2008). Hooking up: Sex, dating, and relationships on campus. NYU Press.
