December 3, 2024December 3, 2024 Layla MartePosted in Celibacy, Gender, Homosexuality, Hook Up Culture, Islam, Marriage, Religion, Sex and Sexuality, Sexual EthicsTagged celibacy, gender, Homosexuality, Hookup culture, Islam, marriage, Religion, Sex and Sexuality, Sexual ethics

I’m examining the complexity of hookup culture for Muslims at the University of Rochester, focusing on how cultural and religious values shape individuals’ approaches to casual relationships and sexual expectations. Hookup culture, often assumed to be a default part of college life, is challenging for some students who feel pressured by this assumption, even if they choose celibacy for personal or religious reasons. For Muslims, this culture can clash with values rooted in modesty, commitment, and emotional intimacy, mainly when marriage is a long-term goal. I’m interested in how modern expressions like ‘situationships’ or ‘just talking’ affect students’ understanding of relationships, whether dating is viable without the intention of marriage, and whether there’s a gender or sexual orientation bias in these dynamics. Through this project, I want to shed light on the cultural friction between traditional values and today’s hookup culture and examine how this impacts students’ perceptions of intimacy and fulfillment.

The overarching question I am trying to answer:

How does hookup culture on college campuses, particularly at the U of R, impact Muslim students’ perspectives on relationships, intimacy, and personal values, especially when traditional beliefs around celibacy, emotional fulfillment, and marriage often conflict with modern casual dating norms?

Interview questions I asked Muslim students at the U of R:

General Perceptions of Hookup Culture

What is your understanding of the hookup culture at the University of Rochester? How do you see it affecting the student body as a whole?
Do you feel any pressure to conform to hookup culture as a Muslim student here? If so, in what ways?
How do your cultural and religious values influence your view of casual relationships or hookup culture?
How do you define a “situationship” or “just talking” in the context of relationships? Does this terminology resonate with you, and how does it compare to your values around commitment and intimacy?

Perspectives on Dating and Relationships

Is dating something you would consider as a Muslim student? If yes, how does your approach to dating differ from the typical hookup culture exposed on campus?
For those who choose celibacy for religious or personal reasons, how do you navigate a campus where hookup culture is prevalent?
Do you think it is possible to have fulfilling, emotionally intimate relationships while participating in hookup culture, or do you believe hookup culture is detrimental to emotional connection?
How do your religious beliefs (e.g., Islam’s views on modesty, commitment, and marriage) impact how you approach relationships in college?

Gender and Identity

Do you feel that there are different expectations or experiences for Muslim men and women regarding hookup culture? How do gender roles or stereotypes play into your experience?
Have you noticed any differences in how hookup culture affects students of different sexual orientations, especially among Muslim students? How are LGBTQ+ individuals navigating these cultural tensions?

Marriage and Long-Term Commitments

How does the concept of marriage influence your approach to relationships in college? Does the idea of marriage conflict with hookup culture’s temporary, casual nature?
Is there a disconnect between how you envision relationships in the long term (e.g., for marriage) and the dating behaviors that are normalized in your social circle or on campus?
If your goal is to marry, how do you reconcile the social pressure to engage in casual hookups with your beliefs about emotional fulfillment and commitment?

Personal Values and Campus Dynamics

Do your peers or the broader university community understand or respect your choice to engage in relationships differently due to your religious or cultural values?
How do you think Muslim students at the University of Rochester can create a supportive environment where values related to celibacy, emotional intimacy, and marriage are respected?
What do you think needs to change in the campus culture to accommodate better students who feel torn between traditional values and the pervasive influence of hookup culture?

Impact of Dating Apps and Modern Hookup Culture

How do you feel about dating apps like Tinder, Muzz, and similar platforms? Do they contribute to the rise of hookup culture among college students?
From an Islamic perspective, how do you think using dating apps conflicts with traditional views on relationships and marriage? Do you think these platforms promote a shift in how people perceive intimacy?
Do you think that the availability and normalization of hookup culture through platforms like Tinder have created a generational divide between younger Muslims and older generations with traditional views on relationships?
Have you or people you know ever used a dating app? How did your personal or religious values influence your decision, and did you feel pressured to conform to the behaviors often portrayed on these platforms?

Here is my class presentation with some of my findings:

Faith & Fling Muslims in U of R’s Hookup Culture Download

These findings provided valuable insight into how Muslim students navigate hookup culture at the University of Rochester, offering a broader understanding of how similar dynamics might unfold in other diverse communities beyond this campus.

Faith and Fling: Muslims in U of R’s Hookup Culture