Student panel about taboo subject stirs conversation amongst students
Amelia Wolf
Issue date: 11/17/09 Section: News
"Let's Talk About Sex: The culture of sexuality, the 'hook-up' culture and relationships on Loyola's campus" was a panel discussion that took place on November 11 organized by Beauty of Women, an organization sponsored by the Women's Center.
The panel consisted of three seniors from Loyola University including Greg Howard, Patrick DePuydt, and Caitlin Engler, as well as a graduate of Loyola, Sandra.
Diving right into the frequently ignored topic, the panel was asked to describe what exactly they took "hook-up" to mean. Sandra said, "For my generation, it means going out with someone and making out. We never really took it as far as having sex, but I feel that today that where it is going." Current students seemed to say it was "anything put" or that it was a term used interchangeably. Howard stated that the use of the term has to do with commitment. "Yeah, I hooked up with my girlfriend last night. You just wouldn't say that," he said. As it turns out, every panelist had a different interpretation.
As conversation delved deeper, tha panelists were asked to describe what actually drives the "sex culture" on campus. "Alcohol," Howard stated while the other panelists nodded their heads in agreement. Engler stated, "Our age is basically the first generation that does the whole hook up thing. My parents don't know what that is. We're in a rough spot." The panelists discussed the fact that usually a date came before sex, now sex comes first with only the possibility of a date afterwards, and an unlikely possibility at that.
Discussion turned into why we hook up. If it has such a negative connotation then why does it still happen? Sandra said, "Peer pressure." With agreement from the audience, there seemed to be a concensus that most people hook up because it is what other people are doing, whether it is who they truly are or not. "I feel like girls have to compete," Howard said. Engler continued by saying, "You put yourself out there, you get someone to hook up with you in hopes that they'll call you again and they don't, and it sucks. Then you start the cycle all over again."
The panel consisted of three seniors from Loyola University including Greg Howard, Patrick DePuydt, and Caitlin Engler, as well as a graduate of Loyola, Sandra.
Diving right into the frequently ignored topic, the panel was asked to describe what exactly they took "hook-up" to mean. Sandra said, "For my generation, it means going out with someone and making out. We never really took it as far as having sex, but I feel that today that where it is going." Current students seemed to say it was "anything put" or that it was a term used interchangeably. Howard stated that the use of the term has to do with commitment. "Yeah, I hooked up with my girlfriend last night. You just wouldn't say that," he said. As it turns out, every panelist had a different interpretation.
As conversation delved deeper, tha panelists were asked to describe what actually drives the "sex culture" on campus. "Alcohol," Howard stated while the other panelists nodded their heads in agreement. Engler stated, "Our age is basically the first generation that does the whole hook up thing. My parents don't know what that is. We're in a rough spot." The panelists discussed the fact that usually a date came before sex, now sex comes first with only the possibility of a date afterwards, and an unlikely possibility at that.
Discussion turned into why we hook up. If it has such a negative connotation then why does it still happen? Sandra said, "Peer pressure." With agreement from the audience, there seemed to be a concensus that most people hook up because it is what other people are doing, whether it is who they truly are or not. "I feel like girls have to compete," Howard said. Engler continued by saying, "You put yourself out there, you get someone to hook up with you in hopes that they'll call you again and they don't, and it sucks. Then you start the cycle all over again."
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