Hookup culture

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

Most research on hookups has been focused on U.S. college students; however, hookups are not limited to college campuses. Adolescents and emerging adults engage in hookups for a variety of reasons, which may include from instant physical gratification, to fulfillment of emotional needs, to using it as a means of finding a long-term romantic partner. Media reaction to hookup culture has been often considered as a form of moral panic. The introduction of cell phones, mobile hookup apps and websites has modernized hookup culture, especially among gay men.