The Debrief: Pleasure, Intimacy, and Violence in Hookup Culture

Abstract

Sex is never just about sex. It reveals facets of our identity and how we are shaped by the systems we inhabit. Hookup culture compels young adults to participate in sexual activity devoid of commitment. It can produce feelings of excitement and validation, or loneliness and dejection. Women often have complex reasons for and intense reactions to engaging in it. As a member of hookup culture, I examine how patriarchal ideologies have influenced our experiences. Drawing on historical research, interviews, literature, and creative writing, I construct an intimate and academic portrait of hookup culture. Since it has authored the sexuality of my generation it is important to understand why we engage in it and how it affects us.