By Devin McKinney
Staff Writer
Prom: the age old tradition that perpetuates all aspects of classical dating. Each year, high schoolers partake in this time-honored event; girls and guys alike plan for the idyllic promposal, so they can advertise their perfect date on social media or begin the hunt for that dream prom dress. From corsages to couple’s pictures, prom seems to harbor some romantic traditions on the surface; however, are people more enticed by the allure of the custom itself, or is this generation’s youth simply interested in the underlying superficiality and transient nature of modern dating?
This idea applies not only to prom, but also to the general behavior of young adults in the world of dating. More young people are favoring hookups over committed relationships. Justin Mateen, co-founder of the hookup app Tinder, found that 51 percent of the app’s user base are age 18 to 24, showing that the younger generations are searching for flings instead of traditional relationships.
According to Mateen’s conversation with The Guardian, out of 832 college students, 26 percent of women and 50 percent of men reported feeling positive after a hookup. This generation is creating its own style of dating focused on the often vilified “hookup culture.”
So, there are countless people who feel like this modern style of dating is something that can have a positive outcome, and with the prospect of asking someone out on a date becoming a thing of the past, there is no doubt that this ideology may be true. However, despite the no strings attached approach presenting an appealing opportunity for some, there are still many detriments to engaging in this behavior.
During a study analyzed by the American Psychological Association, of 1,468 undergraduate students, 27 percent of participants reported feeling embarrassed and another 25 percent reported emotional difficulties after hookups. Hookup culture presents problems for the generation involved. Not only does the culture contribute to feelings of regret, but it also emphasizes bad habits that discard the concept of real love and support a more disposable view of sexual partners.
The youth of this generation is advancing toward a new style of love, a style centered around superficial and casual encounters. People are making room in this society for a culture of spontaneous relations, while letting the traditional wining and dining experience die out. Teens and young adults are failing to realize that the negative effects of contemporary dating are reaching far beyond the immediate feelings of regret, undermining one’s overall preparedness for a serious relationship, a relationship that might just require some form of commitment.
