Hooking up, talking, a thing, dating, a relationship, and so many other weird terms are used to describe the prerogative between two people in today’s “hook-up” culture. The older generations talk about how in their day there was dating and that was it. Men respected women, and women acted like “true” ladies. The older generations also likes to tell millennials that the hook-up culture stems from our narcissism, which stems from our obsession with technology. However, I don’t think that our hook-up culture comes from narcissism, I believe that is comes from a need of adventure in our lives.
You can partake in the “hook-up” culture without ever laying a hand on another person. You partake simply by interacting with multiple people in a more-than-friends manner. Messaging 12 different guys on Tinder, even if you don’t have sexual relations with them, means you have partaken in the “hook-up” culture. Texting three different girls at once because you want to keep your options open, is partaking in hook-up culture. All these things are okay, until we as members of the hook-up nation begin labeling one and other, and patronizing one and other for doing the things that we are doing as well. Easy, hoe, fuck boy, dirty, and freaky are only some of the horrific labels we use against others, but are terrified of others using against us.
There is a fear carried through those in the “hook-up” nation. A fear of life being stagnant. Desire is the fuel to this nation, and this desire is for adventure.
The Hook-up nation is overly aware of how many people and cultures there are on this planet. Because of this social mindfulness, the people of this nation have a deep need to experience much, and many. Experience much, and many in this case is experiencing many people in intimate ways. Everyone wants to travel the world and see what else is out there, but realistically only a small percentage of people have the means to travel the way their heart desires. So, to compensate, many join the hook-up nation.
It is important that the generation of the hook-up nation is adventurous. The expectations of this generation are tremendous. This generation has been taught to sacrifice everything for the purpose of having a career and making money. Many times that means pursing a career because of financial compensation not because of passion, so these people search for something to satisfy the need for passion somewhere else. Sadly, the only way this generation feels they can be escape from those expectations and satisfy the void is by being reckless in the affairs of the heart and body. Thus creating the hook-up nation.
This is not a nation in need of rescue. This is not a nation in need of redemption. This is a nation of escape. This is a nation that needs to become accepted. This is a nation that is not going away, but growing.
