Nineteen Fifty-Six Vol. 3 Issue 1

not interested in polyamory, only 1-in-7 indicated
they respect people who engage in polyamory. If
statistics show college students favor monogamy,
where is the disconnect on campus?
The apparent lack of monogamy on campuses could
be attributed to college student’s desire in securing
a degree more than a long-term relationship. An
article in The Daily Targum explains how the pressure
of finding jobs, securing internships, participating
in extracurriculars, and building resumes has
become the main priority for many students as
the workforce becomes more competitive. College
students can be responsible for balancing hours at
a job, while being a full-time student. This can make
it difficult for some students to focus on anything
else. Preoccupation with schoolwork is driven by
the need for financial independence, which can put
relationships at the bottom of a to-do-list.
Prominent college hookup culture could also be a
connection between apparent lack of monogamy on
campus. According to the American Psychological
Association, between 60 and 80 percent of North
American students have had a hookup experience
while in college, and 70 percent of sexually active
12- to 21-year-olds have had uncommitted sex within
the year 2013. Hookup culture allows for no strings
attached interactions, as well as less effort put in
compared to a monogamous relationship. If a lighter
workload is what college students seek, hookups
seem to be an easier route for some students
.
Hookup culture can also be destructive to monogamy
because it produces feelings of isolation. A study by
Scholars Strategy Network shows students who do
not participate in hookups end up being socially
isolated. Social isolation could possibly hinder a
student’s chances of developing relationships with
others.
Monogamy can still be ideal for college students
who want a traditional relationship. To achieve
monogamy, effective communication is suggested.
Research concerning communicative dilemmas
written by Kendra Knight suggests couples
participate in explicit negotiations of the status
of the relationship, expectations, and appropriate
behaviors to abide by. Casual relationships do not
require much communication, so making intentions
known can create a long-lasting relationship. An
article written on monogamy in college suggests
resisting temptation as well. Social gatherings along
with alcohol allow for a great deal of interaction
with other people, but it is important to surround
yourself with people who are supportive of your
relationship.
Although relationships in our society have changed,
knowing what works best for your idea of a
relationship, whether it is “old school love” or open
relationships, is important. Communicating your
preferences can increase your chances of finding
what you want while in college.
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