Who would not delight in telling some extragalactic tourist, "On our planet, sir, males and females copulate. Moreover, they enjoy copulating. But for various reasons they cannot do this whenever, wherever, and with whomever they choose. Hence all this running around that you observe. Hence the world? A therapeutic notion! - John Barth, "The End of The Road"
Hooking up is a simple concept to understand. Two people engage in sexual contact (not restricted to intercourse by any means) simply for the sheer convenience and satisfaction found in sharing yourself physically with someone.
This type of a relationship doesn't involve titles or exclusiveness, and is great for someone not interested in dating or having a girl/boyfriend, or someone who hasn't met the right person yet but isn't going to waste the peak of their sexuality.
The fact that the majority of hook-ups revolve around parties and alcohol is erroneous - people are simply more straightforward and less subtle about it, because hook-ups happen every day of the week.
And this act of hooking up is generally understood by those involved to be initially a one time, leave before morning, kind of thing where, if it was enjoyable, it could happen again.
Hook-ups at college draw a direct comparison to hurricanes in that both are constantly happening all the time and it's only the really big ones that get attention.
But unlike FEMA, Washington College actually has a strong prevention program, something most small schools/towns have, called gossip. With Instant Messenger, Email List serves, and cell phones, it's possible to know about someone's sex life before they leave the dorm.
Now, if WC was a large state school, this sort of thing could be enjoyed with regularity, but walking to class and having to endure the same awkward interactions with several people you've sexed up gets old.
This is where our society sends mixed signals. How can we watch Sex and the City (not me personally, but a guy I know) and praise Samantha for her latest conquest but scorn the girl down the hall who has a different guy in every Friday night? Why is it that you high five the guy with another notch on his belt, but call his partner in crime a slut and a whore?
Wilt Chamberlain is as famous for sleeping with 20,000 women as for scoring 100 points in a single basketball game. Do you think Serena Williams has the same expectations?
Does the Dixie Chicks' tour bus pull as much ass as Motley Crue? No. And for the same reason, hooking up at college (as expected as it is) comes with the same baggage.
I'm not saying I don't do the same, sitting around on a Sunday morning talking about who hooked up with whom, but I am unable to pass judgment.
It's pretty ridiculous when the possibility that someone might take notice of your promiscuity would stop two consenting college kids from doing what comes naturally.
Hook ups are by design random, but without negative connotation. Many solid college relationships have evolved from something random that became something regular, and no one can fault two people who found love where they first just saw sex.
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