Hookup culture

Hookup culture is one that accepts and encourages casual sex encounters, including one-night stands and other related activity, without necessarily including emotional intimacy, bonding or a committed relationship.[1] It is generally associated with Western late adolescent sexuality and, in particular, United States college culture.[2][3][4] The term hookup has an ambiguous definition because it can indicate kissing or any form of physical sexual activity between sexual partners.[5][6] The term has been widely used in the U.S. since at least 2000.[6] It has also been called nonrelationship sex,[7] or sex without dating.

Most research on hookups has been focused on U.S. college students, but hookups are not limited to college campuses.[8][9] Adolescents and emerging adults engage in hookups for a variety of reasons, which may range from instant physical gratification, to fulfillment of emotional needs, to using it as a means of finding a long-term romantic partner.[9] Reaction by media to hookup culture has been often considered moral panic.[10][11][12] The introduction of cell phones, mobile hookup apps and websites have modernized hookup culture, especially among gay men.[13]