In today's day and age, we are constantly hearing about people "hooking up". In some cases, it means actually having sex within a relationship however, more frequently it relates directly to casual intimate encounters between friends or strangers. One night stands are not as uncommon as some sociologists first were led to believe they would become once the discovery and deadliness of AIDS and H.I.V. entered the picture. Condoms can protect one from the possibilities of the two and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD) however, as medical practitioners have warned, they are not 100% effective, which means there is no such thing as safe sex, just safer sex. Scary huh? Maybe yet not enough to scare everyone off of the idea of spending the night with strangers or casual acquaintances who turn them on. Sure some people still want the ring, the house and the kids and a piece of paper that says it's all legal and some of these people have decided to remain virgins until marriage, while some just have casual sexual dalliances with friends or acquaintances who completely understand that it is nothing more. As many know the Jonas Brothers and Miley Cyrus are just a couple of the entertainers from the teen and in-between set, who have decided to remain chaste and are proudly waving banners declaring their vows of chastity. Still, many health experts realize that this is not the norm for many young adults and those above the age of consent, are choosing to be a lot less, let us just say, conservative in their sexual practices. The idea of remaining celibate until marriage and the whole chastity ring thing, is appealing perhaps, but is it realistic in this day and age where "anything goes" and the sex culture is everywhere around us? It is more than apparent that not everyone is committed to being chaste and wearing a chastity ring until marriage and are choosing to "hook up", instead. Even women are being more sexually expressive and see sleeping with someone who they find attractive and are not committed to seriously, as a choice that is viable. Apparently this casual approach to sex works for some in our society while it does not appeal to others but there are as with most things, extremes and in betweens. So what do those individuals who believe in celibacy and practicing abstinence to do when it comes to dating? So many females have shared tales of former casual dates checking out the door as soon as it became apparent that they were not "getting some" or "hooking up" at the end of the night. By the third date, it is apparent that many men and women have come to expect a sexual encounter after the last dish has been served. The "dessert" is like a foregone conclusion on the 3rd date and sex is expected long before any conversations on exclusivity have taken place between the two individuals "dating". Could this be where the need to "hook-up" with one's friends stems from, just the ability to indulge intimately without the complications of emotions deeper than friendship? When is "hooking up" just wrong and not merely just an easy way for the commitment shy to "get some" without having to define what it all meant? In a world where sexually contracted diseases are at an all time high and HIV is on the rise, is "hooking-up" something that should occur between those who barely know each other like when a great looking guy meets an equally hot looking girl at a club? Where does one draw the line when it comes to "casual sex" when the statistics and potential for harm, is truly so far on the other side of the spectrum of casual? Please feel free to be open and honest about your own experiences either as someone who indulges periodically in "harmless" casual sexual encounters or someone who remains firmly chaste while waiting for true commitment and love with that special someone.
