Not a One Night Review: How Sexual Hookups Have Changed Over the Past 10 Years: A Review

In 2012 Garcia et al. reviewed the existing hookup literature and concluded that hookups were an engrained behavior driven by both biological factors as well as ever-changing social scripts (Garcia et al 2012). Ten years have passed by and there have been substantial cultural changes, there have been shifts in attitudes about sexual orientation to gender roles. This current work is focused on a 10-year follow-up on how hookup research has changed. The term “hooking up” refers to uncommitted sexual encounters, which can include a range of sexual activities such as kissing, oral sex, and penetrative intercourse. The previous review suggested that hookup encounters were increasing among adolescents and young adults in North America, representing a shift in acceptance of uncommitted sex. This review will evaluate the literature across the past 10 years and determine what has changed in hookup culture. This literature will investigate the effects of social media, alcohol/ pregame culture, and dating apps on hookup culture. In addition, broader influences such as COVID-19, the #MeToo movement, and the legalization of gay marriage will also be taken into consideration. The review will also investigate whether sexual minorities have been included in the literature since the last review, as well as whether heteronormative scripts have shifted. We argue that, while things still appear somewhat negative in the hookup literature, positive research on sexual expression and hooking up has begun to appear. There is still a long way to go within the research of sexual hookup culture, but the presence of new, more positive research may be a step in the right direction to a more accepting and sex-positive culture.https://orb.binghamton.edu/research_days_posters_2022/1039/thumbnail.jp