With the rise of dating apps like Tinder, one-time hook-ups have become more common among the younger generation of app users. There is certainly a lot of controversy around what this entails for future generations and the precedent Millennials and Gen Z are setting.
In public schools and universities around the U. As this influence spreads to the vast majority of teens, hook-up culture only becomes increasingly prevalent. According to the CDC, the increase in casual hookups directly correlates to the rapidly increasing numbers in STI infections over the past 10 years.
The CDC estimates age groups from account for at least half of the STI infections reported, though this age group only makes up a quarter of the United States sexually active population. Commitment is prioritized differently by many people. In recent years, younger audiences have had a skewed perception of the amount of work that goes into having a committed relationship with a significant other.
Hook-ups notoriously do not work out well. This often results in bad blood between partners and exacerbates mental struggles such as low self-esteem, anxiety and depression. Mental health is already a growing issue among teens and young adults , and hook-up culture only raises the statistics further. The appeal of instant, physical gratification draws in teenagers at an alarming rate. In the face of society, this prevalence of hook-up culture causes youth to lack the capacity for love in long-term relationships.
Ultimately, every person can choose how they engage in intimate activities, but the negative influence of hook-up culture damages teenage morals for relationships.
