The College "Hook-Up" Culture: A Primer for those in college ministry

Unprotected: A Campus Psychiatrist Reveals How Political Correctness in Her Profession Endangers Every Student

I’ve been slowly reading through Miriam Grossman M.D.’s new book, Unprotected, and I’m having a hard time finding the right adjective to describe my thoughts…depressing, enlightening, sad.  One of the reasons that I picked up the book was because I have been working with college students for almost ten years and I (among many others) have noticed the affects of the “hook up” culture in college circles. 

“Hooking up” is nothing new in college, and in fact it’s even made easier through social networking sites such as Facebook and MySpace which allow you to find “hook up” partners at the touch of a button.  But now for the first time in many years, those in the medical, psychological and religious fields are taking notice of some of the long lasting effects of this sexual encounter.  Dr. Grossman who has been working with college students for over twenty years, and the last ten working as a psychiatrist at UCLA’s Student Psychological Services, wrote this book out of her experiences of working with thousands of college students, and more specifically women on college campuses.  Miriam writes,

Now young people are advised to use latex, and have a limited number of partners (as opposed to unlimited?).  There is a tacit approval of promiscuity and experimentation: one study of college students speaks of ‘primary and casual sex partners.'

She goes on to say that,

More relevant to my patients at this stage in their lives is that oxytocin is released during sexual activity.  Could it be that the same chemical that flows through a woman’s veins as she nurses her infant, promoting a powerful and selfless devotion, is found in college women ‘hooking up’ with men whose last intention is to bond?

As a college pastor this is a necessary book as I interact with students who live in a “hook up” culture.  And for the first time in many years, Grossman from a psychiatric perspective is confirming what Christian teachers have been saying.

Rhett Smith/College Director
www.rhettsmith.com

Comments

[Lon]

Hey Rhett, glad to see you finally got logged in.

I wonder if the 'hook up' culture has anything to do with the increasing delaying of marriage in north american culture... causing the need to 'hook up' until we're viable for marriage (ie. educated, financially secure, career-established, etc.)

[Rhett]

Good question...the delay of marriage is one thought that continues to arise. But I think the issue that the author points out is just not the sexual activity in college, but the "hook up" culture and how much sexual activity that entails. I think people expected sex before marriage, etc. in the research, but not the number of partners and rampant casual sex. People suspected possibly, but it's much worse than she thought. The depression and suicide and other issues that it has driven women to is unbelievable as well. But I think the delaying doesn't help, and with "emerging adulthood" as a viable development stage, it's getting delayed even further.

rhett

[D-PLUM]

Hey, Rhett...

Thanks for the insights about the book. I just recently planted a church in College Park, MD, so this might be something I need to pick up! Thanks for sharing... now, I'm about to check out your blog for more goodies! ;p

[Dave]

We talk about the "hook-up" crisis of the college age, but maybe we should be looking at the high school age or even worse those in middle school. Our hearts must be burdened for those who are struggling with these issues. I look forward to reading this book.

[randall]

Rhett, I think you and your students would really enjoy reading the new book: Brown Like Coffee. I found it at brownlikecoffee.com
I loved it. It touches on several of your themes.

[College Networking]

Your information regarding this new book
"Grossman M.D" is more useful.