The concept of love is consistently outlined within society. Songs, books, movies, etc. show the journey to find a perfect match is one full of constant heartbreak and pain, but it's worth it because love waits at the end. Most spend their entire lives in this race for love, but only the lucky ones make it to the finish line to claim their prize of a life with their "soul mate." But, what is love? A concept so familiar yet lacks a structured definition. It's impossible to define because love reveals itself in many different ways. For the sake of time, let's focus in on "romantic" love. It's a seemingly unbreakable connection formed between two people who have grown so fond of one another, the thought of being separated is unbearable. It's seeing the absolute best in a person, especially at their absolute worst moment. It's sacrifice. It's hope. Some may argue it's the center of the world. If "romantic" love is so powerful and vital, then why does it seem so unreachable in college?
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Girl walks into bar wearing tight jeans and low-cut shirt. Eyes matted with dark makeup, lips coated with a deep red lipstick that screams, "pay attention to me." Girl approaches the first semi attractive boy she sees, he will do. Girl flirts until boy is hopelessly lost in her eyes (she thinks its her eyes, we know it's whatever is inevitably falling out of her low-cut shirt I previously mentioned). Boy offers to buy girl endless amount of drinks. Now neither one can stand without the assistance of the other. A continuous flow of shots (most likely tequila) leads to an alcohol induced chemistry between the two. Boy motions to leave the bar. Girl follows. Together, they stumble home.
Fast forward to the next morning. Girl opens her eyes slowly spotting the mysterious boy beside her. Good, still asleep. Girl slides out of bed and strategically collects her belongings that lay in every corner of the room. She spots a large t-shirt that has fraternity letters across the front. Too early to decipher that, but girl picks up shirt holding it tight with pride like a trophy. "Shack shirt" acquired. She takes a quick glance around the room. Boy likes sports. Boy is republican. Boy is close with family. Girl comes to these conclusions via the posters and pictures that line the walls. Girl catches herself wondering about this boy, who is he? What is he like? What inspires him? What are his dreams? The onset of a raging headache quickly sends these thoughts to the back of her mind. Girl quietly makes her way to the door, and slips out. Girl and boy never speak again.
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The "hook-up" culture of today's young generation has caused the concept of "romantic" love to become an outdated one. The new concept of the "hook-up" culture consumes the college age group. Girl meets a boy, they hook up and they never speak again. In fact, they do everything in their power to avoid one another because the thought of an encounter is unfathomable. When an encounter does occur, God forbid, they make blatant eye contact, quickly divert their eyes and pray the other does not try to spark a conversation. Please, anything but conversation. In this culture, no one makes a conscious effort to get to know one another. It's skipped right over, straight to the hook-up. If feelings ever develop, you're essentially screwed. Who can be blamed for this, the girls for making themselves so easily available or the boys for solely caring about quantity not quality? Honestly, it's both. Why would a boy commit if he knows he can take a new girl home every night? Here's my solution. I challenge the girls struggling with the vicious, never-ending cycle that is the "hook-up" culture to initiate change. It starts with self-respect and confidence, and ends with saying no to that sleazy boy buying shots for every other girl at the bar. Take time to build a relationship with a solid foundation, it's okay to take it slow. Then maybe the concept of "romantic" love, a concept so cherished throughout time, will start to reveal itself once again.
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