In college, students have many options when it comes to the opposite sex. An individual has the option of being single, in a committed relationship, or even dating occasionally. But today, more and more students are choosing to just "hook up."

Campus Chronicle

Erica L. Turner

"Hooking up in college is an all too regular occurence, and it's not only deadly (because of all the diseases floating out there and everywhere), it's also just a stupid thing to do. All of a sudden, you aren't under mom and dad's "lock and key," you decide to run crazy totally," explained Lionchelle Williams, a freshman political science major from Houston, Texas.

What is "hooking up"? Hooking up is a vague term that ranges from person to person. Its definition can range from "gentle touching" to intercourse. But according to UrbanDictionary.com, "hooking up" is defined by some as engaging in romantic or sexual activity with another usually at a gathering or party. It usually involves little or no emotional attachment. A person sees this attractive guy/girl at a party. They talk for a while and realize that they have chemistry between them. One thing may lead to another, and they hook up. The next day, the pair returns back to their normal lives. This is "hooking up."

Who is hooking up? According to a survey of 555 college students taken by Elizabeth Paul, a psychology professor at the College of New Jersey, 78 percent of college students participate in this ritual. While the statistics say that most college students are participating in this act, many are opposed to it. "I feel that one night stands (hooking up) in college is not a good idea because if it's a small college, the count can become something serious and soon you'll become known as a whore," said Ke'Shon Kirkland, a junior mass communications major at Alcorn State University.

Why hook up? Hooking up, which is synonymous with having a one-night stand, is as popular as it has ever been among college students, according to a Journal of Sex Research study. According to the study, college students hook up because of the short-term commitment, and the no-strings attached sex. With hooking up, one does not have to worry about the obligation of having relationship and only staying with one person.

The effects of hooking up

A sophomore communications major from New Orleans, La., found hooking up sexually gratifying, but it left her empty in other ways. "Well, at one time I was all for hooking up and one night stands, booty calls, casual sex, whatever you want to call it. Most of the time it was physically satisfying; however, emotionally and spiritually it left me empty," the student explained.

Along with emotional distress, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are more likely to occur with the multiple partners. According to the Centers for Disease Control, two-thirds of STDs occur in people 25 years old or younger, and, by age 24, one in four sexually active people will contract some type of STD. "People are diminishing their self-worth and undoing the need to be in productive relationships by hooking up, Williams said.

Erica L. Turner writes for the Campus Chronicle, the Alcorn State University student newspaper, where this article originally appeared.

Posted March 17, 2008