We’ve all heard the phrase “hooking up” but the meaning behind it can be confusing.
Hooking up is a broad term but generally refers to being sexually intimate with a member of the preferred sex that you don't consider a significant other.
This sexual intimacy can range from kissing to having sex. Therefore, the phrase can refer to all sorts of intimate acts engaged with another person.
Let’s delve a little bit deeper.
Most teenagers & young adults associate “hooking up” with a one-time thing & it’s sometimes looked at in a negative way.
But a simple hook-up is not a bad thing. You don’t have to be in a relationship or be dating that person to have sex!
As long as you know what you’re getting into, both emotionally & physically, hooking up with someone is ultimately your choice.
It’s important to openly communicate with the person you’re hooking up with. If you don’t want to continue further at any point, voice it!
Respect should always be maintained between the people involved.
Make sure that you’re having safe sex by using contraceptives. If your partner isn’t ok with that, they’re not respecting you.
It’s important to be aware of what a hook-up means on an emotional level. Hook-ups don’t tend to lead to a relationship - instead they usually just remain a casual thing.
So before hooking up, assess how you would feel about it before getting into it.
If it’s not your thing, that’s fine too: don’t feel pressured into doing something that you aren’t comfortable with.
Hooking up is not for everyone & that’s ok! Don’t feel you have to participate in hook-up culture if you’re not comfortable with it.
Whether you hook-up with people on dating apps or with someone at a party, people hook up for multiple reasons.
Hook ups are usually considered just some fun & with no deep ties to the person.
Ask yourself this question: why am I hooking up with people? If the answer is a positive one, then great!
However, if you feel that hooking up with people is causing negative emotions, then re-assess what you’re doing.
