Comments on: Hooking Up

By: Brittney

Brittney — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 23:56:34 +0000

Referring to Karen Rosen’s comment, “You seem to clearly be coming down on the position that “hooking up” is immoral…” Since this is the “Religion and Ethics NewsWeekly” it makes sense that this site would look at things from a religious and ethical point of view. From a purely Biblical point of view, sex outside of marriage is condemned. Proverbs 6 talks specifically about women luring men into sexual encounters outside of marriage. Hooking up is ghastly immoral because it tries to remove all complex emotion of being human from the act of intercourse. Having sex is an intimate, emotional experience. Trying to remove that “emotional baggage” is a step toward being an animal.

By: Karen Rosen

Karen Rosen — Mon, 18 May 2009 17:19:02 +0000

I completely agree with Jorge’s comment above. For a piece reported by a woman, I am shocked by the fact that this segment was written with such an inappropriate focus on female behavior. “Why would a young woman engage in this behavior?” asks Valente. Why don’t you ask about why young men do it? And – taking a step back – from a journalistic standpoint you should really be asking why NOT do it. R&E should be taking a balanced, nuanced look at the issue; in this piece you seem to clearly be coming down on the position that “hooking up” is immoral. Finally, I find the relevance of this piece quite questionable. Any script that references what the “young people” are doing these days comes across as clearly out of touch with said young people. This is not a new phenomenon and your report didn’t reference any empirical trends that it’s a growing phenomenon. Normally, I greatly respect R&E’s reporting, but in this case I found it laughable. Before you do another report like this one, please seriously weigh the timeliness and the journalistic balance.

By: Momof2Teens

Momof2Teens — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:59:48 +0000

Albeit true that all generations have had casual, unmarried sex-I think that this generation is far different in their attitudes toward sex and their own sexuality. Teens/young adults treat sex with a level of casualness that frankly scares me and the current trend to avoid the trouble with having a relationship altogether, opting instead for “hanging out” or “hooking up” can only lead to negative consequences…the reality is that they will not have developed any real emotional quotient, other than their self-absorbed needs…not the ideal makings for marriage & a family. I think it is all very sad…very throw-away, fleeting and “me” fueled…nothing worthwhile comes from an attitude of disregard and self-absorption. I see it in the confused and lonely, desperate, needy spirits of girls and the frustrated, emotionally constipated and defensive attitudes of boys. I believe the program was very telling.

By: Joan Plesa

Joan Plesa — Wed, 13 May 2009 00:50:19 +0000

I can’t help but be amused that the experts that were interviewed seemed to be from my generation. You know the generation that had songs like “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with”. I think it’s interesting that every generation rediscovers that young people engage in casual sex.

By: Paul Slocumb

Paul Slocumb — Mon, 11 May 2009 07:51:37 +0000

I hope this report represents a movement toward the re-assumption the role of “in loco parentis” long abandoned by post -secondary institutions in light of what is now more fully known about the CNS maturation of young adults (and their consequent emotional and spiritual needs); and the immediate and long term emotional and behavioral effects of practicing [to call it what it is]promiscuity.

By: Jorge Olivares

Jorge Olivares — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:54:08 +0000

I never expected to see clips from your program in The Soup, but I have a sinking feeling that this week may signal your first appearance in that show. It is not that I think the topic is not important, but the way it was covered made you look naive and so out of touch with reality. You actually talked about hooking up as a new trend that you felt you had to explain to your audience? It does not help that one of your experts expressed disbelief that young WOMEN would engage in this behavior, implying that it was acceptable or understandable if young men did it. This is a sad day, indeed.

Jorge Olivares
Houston, TX

By: Martha Searcey

Martha Searcey — Sat, 09 May 2009 13:39:49 +0000

The report on “hooking up” was rather unbalanced. While there were two interviews with smirking, sleazy college boys, college women were not allowed the opportunity to speak for themselves and were often represented by middle-aged women. The few interviews shown with college women did not address the practice of “hooking up” specifically. Additionally, the tone of the report focused on the long term effects of casual sex without the voices of those who endorse it. If so many young people engage in this practice, there must be some, especially women, willing to enthusiastically approve of the practice. The report tried to balance itself with the educator from SMU who basically said “it’s not that bad.” However, this has a completely different tone from, “it’s good.”
Also, the report should have delineated between college students and young people. What about the consideration that college students typically live in close proximity to one another, increasing the likelihood of hooking up? Whereas “young people” is a category which could include any individual, in my opinion, under the age of 30.

By: Sean Esterline

Sean Esterline — Sat, 09 May 2009 02:06:53 +0000

When I was in college we called the more-than-kissing-but-less-than-sex stuff “mashing” … by any other name, the end result is the same — you’ve got boys and girls doing what “feels good” at the time with very little thought of the future. (If they’re LUCKY they will only come out with minimal emotional damage and no pregancy or STDs.) Yes, children need to be able to make mistakes, but wouldn’t it be nice if they listened to the experience of those who have been there before them too?