Lisa Wade, author and professor at Tulane University, recently spoke at CMU about her book “American Hookup: The New Culture of Sex on Campus.” She was brought to CMU to discuss the book and to highlight why hookup culture on college campuses should matter to students.
Wade spent her years in graduate school studying human sexuality during her master’s, and she studied sociology for her Ph.D. She took a special interest in the influence that gender and sexuality had within our culture at large and has since written a handful of books: “Gender,” “Terrible Magnificent Sociology,” and the book from her discussion, “The American Hookup.”
“American Hookup” is the culmination of Wade’s research into the sociology of human sexuality, specifically the form that human sexuality takes among students that are attending college. Her book delves into the inner components of hookup culture on campus and the effects it potentially has on the people that take part.
Her discussion focused on the aspects of the book that students could apply to the culture we experience while on campus. Wade’s book touches on aspects of hookup culture that we do not necessarily consider when we are in the thick of it.
Students packed into the Meyer Ballroom as Wade unraveled what it means to be a part of the hookup culture that is prominent across every college campus across the country.
Wade spent the time reading diary entries from students on their experiences with hookups and giving attendees various statistics, anecdotes, and “rules” that have been created within this culture.
Wade offered rules of hookups with a sense of humor: only hook up with people you do not like, limit the number of times you get with one person, be drunk, etc.; however, under the humor and the interesting details of hookup culture, Wade also taught the audience about certain dangers that can lurk under the surface.
After the talk was over she held a Q&A, giving Wade the opportunity to hear questions not answered in the discussion that students wanted to know.
She answered questions on issues such as hookup addiction and gave warnings to students about consent and mutual communication between partners.
Ultimately, Wade’s talk sought to highlight the idea that while hookup culture is inevitable on college campuses students should choose to make sex consensual, normalized, and enjoyable for the students that choose to participate.
Wade’s talk was brought to the students by the Sexual Citizens Club and was one of the many events that Real Talk will be hosting on campus. This month the “What were they wearing” exhibit will be coming to campus.
