If you want to go on a date, you’re living in the wrong era.
In the 21st century, the dating scene has been altered, and some argue it has completely disappeared.
While it sounds like a broken record when we hear about the damage technology has done to us, it is forgotten how much it has damaged potential romantic relationships. With the influence of cellphones and social networking, a new culture has formed: the hook-up culture.
If the point of dating is to get to know someone, there really is no use for it anymore. “You can get to know anything about anyone with the click of a mouse,” said senior Cassidy Mckeen. “If I wanted to go on a date, I would time travel to any era but this one.”
“There’s no suspense or mystery to anyone anymore,” added senior Kelsey Attamante.
Instead of “dating”, alternate terms are used that show the degradation of romantic relationships. In the beginning stages of technologically dominated 21st century relationships, a pair is either “talking” or “texting” or maybe just “snap-chatting” or “pop-chatting”. There is no fear of rejection with texting, e-mail and Twitter or other forms of “asynchronous communication.” These quick and empty means of communication lead to spontaneous booty-calls for quick and uncommitted hook-ups. The article, “End of Courtship?” says that the hook-up culture “has become the new sexual norm for young adults” who now participate in “one-time sexual encounters with no expectation of further intimacy.”
“Many students today have never been on a traditional date,” said Donna Freitas, professor and author of the forthcoming book, The End of Sex: How Hookup Culture is Leaving a Generation Unhappy, Sexually Unfulfilled, and Confused About Intimacy.
Perpetuated by alcohol as well as technology, hooking-up is the perfect solution for anyone who doesn’t want a “label.” Forget commitment, flowers on Valentine’s Day, birthday cards, date nights, and meeting the family. The hook-up culture is dominating, and killing off any remains of chivalry.
Vague and confusing, the hook-up culture “has evolved to a cycle of text messages, each one requiring the code-breaking skills of a cold war spy to interpret,” said Shani Silver, a social media and blog manager, in the article, “The End of Courtship?”
With movies like No Strings Attached and Friends With Benefits, there is a new appeal to the hook-up culture.
“The new date is ‘hanging out,’ ” said Denise Hewett. A victim of the hook-up culture, Ms. Hewett is in the process of producing a show about the frustration of it.
Stanford University has concluded that less than one percent of college students maintain a committed relationship.
Technology acts as an emotionless barrier and over time, the influence of it has left teens and young adults unable to interact. Lacking confidence in how to approach one another, it is much easier to text someone than meet them in person, or even call them on the phone.
Technology has created a monster.