Hey, want to hook up?
There’s a new and growing trend in the Canadian dating world that has people asking one another just that. People of all ages and genders are choosing to date casually instead of diving into committed relationships. Why worry about commitment and even – gasp— marriage when you can bounce around and just have a little fun?
A Rising Canadian Trend
It’s possible that the casual dating trend is increasing in popularity around the world, but let’s focus on Canada specifically. Younger generations (Millennials, that is) are not getting married at the same rate as their older counterparts for some very specific reasons:
- The high divorce rate has made them averse to getting married in the first place. Finding the right life partner is a very important decision that should not be taken lightly.
- There’s no sense in rushing it. If you haven’t met the right partner, you don’t need to jump into commitment if it doesn’t feel right.
- Poor finances or a lot of debt can make people feel unstable and therefore not ready for commitment. They would rather wait until they are personally and financially ready for that big next step in their lives.
The Rise of Hook Up Apps
Don’t want a commitment but still want to meet someone? Look no further than your smartphone! Technology has completely changed the game thanks to social media and phone apps. Rather than diving into monogamous relationships, casual dating is now the preferred route. Adult Friend Finder and Tinder are some of the most successful hookup apps and sites on the market today. It’s easier than ever to find someone in your vicinity, meet up, and hook up without any awkward conversation or blind dates. Those are a thing of the past.
How it Works
Ever used Tinder? Surely, you’ve heard people discussing “swiping left” or “swiping right” in reference to using the app. It takes saying yes or no to a hookup easier than ever. Plus, it’s a great way to meet people and form a connection based on attributes that look good on paper or small things you might have in common. You can find people near you and meet a lot of people in a very short period of time. It’s very simple.
Why it is so Popular
Why tie yourself down at a young age? Why jump into marriage, commitment and longevity when you can focus on fun instead? (All relevant questions, of course!) As the saying goes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side of the relationship spectrum. Rather than potentially getting divorced down the road, just keeping it light and casual is a much simpler option.
But while it sounds like fun to hook up, it’s important to be smart about how you pursue this way of life.
How to Be Smart
Hooking up is all fun and games until someone gets hurt; at least that’s what we hear. Engaging in any sort of casual relationship with someone you don’t know all that way can be somewhat of a ‘risky’ behavior. For this reason, it’s important to be smart about how you go about hooking up and being in a casual relationship. A few things you should remember:
- Safety in Numbers: Rather than meeting up alone with a potential hookup, bring a few friends along for a casual gathering first. Then, you can test the water into hanging out alone.
- Choose Wisely: Get some basic information about your potential hookup ahead of time, so you aren’t walking blindly into the experience.
- Practice Safe Behaviors: Hooking up doesn’t have to be risky if you use common sense and approach the situation with an overall sense of safety.
How do you Hook Up?
Don’t limit yourself by age or social standing. It’s easy to think that hook ups are just for the younger generation, but it’s just not limited in that way. More and more, singles are engaging in non-traditional relationships in Canada. Experts say that high divorce rates have made many people rethink the way they approach romance in their lives both now and in the future. They would rather avoid making a costly, serious mistake in their lives (can you blame them?) and choose casual engagements instead.
Do What Works for You
Safety is important, and that feeling is relative to everyone. Trust your gut and follow your instincts to be safe when hooking up, no matter how you choose to do it. It is possible to both have fun and be safe simultaneously—you don’t have to choose one over the other. Just do what feels right to you always, as this will never steer you wrong.
The Future of Hooking Up
We know that advances in technology have completely changed the hooking up game, but what’s next? Services like Tinder and AFF that help you find singles in your vicinity is one thing, but what else can technology do to improve the hook up? The sky is the limit in this regard; dating websites have robust app offerings now as well, allowing you to engage in relationships if you choose to go that path. More than anything, being safe and smart about hooking up will compel change in this industry. Stay tuned to what’s next in this regard.
Hooking up can a fun, casual way to enjoy dating and relationships as long as you are smart about it. Be safe and follow some rules you set for yourself.