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In the 1700s, marriage was seen as a business deal between parents and not for love. By the 1800s, adults were able to choose who they wanted to marry. Source: https://research.colonialwilliamsburg.org/Foundation/journal/Holiday07/court.cfm
Photo: https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/bridgerton -
With movie theaters, dancing and automobiles becoming more popular, men and women were able to mingle without courting under parental supervision. Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/02/ce-corner#:~:text=Hookups%20began%20to%20become%20more,explore%20their%20sexuality%20more%20freely
Photo: https://headlong.co.uk/ideas/movies-and-mass-culture/ -
The start of World War Two meant men were going off to war, so long-term dating overshadowed the casual dating scene and having multiple partners. Source: https://scholars.org/brief/rise-hookup-sexual-culture-american-college-campuses
Photo: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/World-War-2-Timeline-1945/ -
In the 1960s, feminism was popular and birth control was more widely available. Casual sex encounters were more frequent with a decline in the ideal of a traditional committed relationship. Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/02/ce-corner#:~:text=Hookups%20began%20to%20become%20more,explore%20their%20sexuality%20more%20freely
Photo: https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/fda-approves-the-pill -
"Blue Movie" was released in 1969 and is known as the first adult erotic movie with a wide release, ultimately changing norms about how sex is openly accepted in society. Source: https://savagethrills.com/artdesign/the-golden-age-of-porn/
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The hit movie "Animal House" raised expectations for fun in college with liquor companies advertising towards a younger audience and that drinking is a main part of the college experience. This ideal led to more casual sex encounters with more opportunities for mingling. Source: https://scholars.org/brief/rise-hookup-sexual-culture-american-college-campuses
Photo: https://www.vintag.es/2021/09/vintage-alcohol-ads-1960s-1970s-1980s.html -
In the 1980s, gay men were participating in hookups and casual sex. The AIDs infection hindered hookup culture from being mainstream, yet it still proceeded. Source: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2013/02/ce-corner#:~:text=Hookups%20began%20to%20become%20more,explore%20their%20sexuality%20more%20freely
Photo: https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/cctp-802-spring2018/2018/05/04/the-art-of-the-aids-crisis-cautionary-oeuvres-from-the-1980s/ -
Fraternities dominated social life on college campuses due to people being able to drink in a private setting. Hookup culture was reinforced due to the media portrayals of college social life and increased women's equality. Source: https://scholars.org/brief/rise-hookup-sexual-culture-american-college-campuses
Photo: https://coolkidsofhistory.tumblr.com/post/161789300058/day-in-the-life-of-a-1980s-fraternity -
Meeting people online paved the way for potential hookups. This made hookups even more engrained in popular culture. In 1995, the first internet dating site, match.com, was launched. Source: https://www.stylight.com/Magazine/Lifestyle/Love-First-Swipe-Evolution-Online-Dating/
Photo: https://www.vogue.com/article/pop-culture-1995 -
Starting around 2009, television shows and movies such as "No Strings Attached" and "Jersey Shore" depict hookup culture as acceptable and fun. Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613286/
Photo: https://www.amazon.com/Jersey-Shore-Season-1-Uncensored/dp/B003IB0FUS