the D word

i'm sure you thought you were gonna get a naughty word out of me. nice try. what this subject lines refers to is the current state of dating or lackthereof. i have had several conversations with friends about the lost art of dating and courtship. honestly, it comes as no surprise to me, as i have been working closely alongside young adults for the past seven or eight years of my life--either as a mentor, colleague, teacher or chum. from what i have witnessed, young persons would rather have a one-night stand than make themselves vulnerable than risk possibly being rejected by a close friend or complete stranger by asking them out on a date. knock, knock...is there anything more risky that having casual sex with someone whom you do not even know? sex makes promises, real promises!


this past semester, i attended a Theology on Tap event sponsored by JCU's Campus Ministry program, in which Fr. Cozzens, S.J., whom many folks (both young and old) are fond of, shared his insights about sexual activity on/off college campuses as well as the "hookup" culture. i would like to refer to you to an article entitled "Sex, lies and the hookup culture" by Donna Freitas in the fall 2008 edition of the magazine U.S. Catholic (for the full article, click here). one of the evidenced-based arguments that Freitas discusses in her article is that a majority of young adults--regardless of gender/or sexual orientation--seek "old-fashioned romance. it's talking--just talking for hours, on a pretty beach, over dinner, under a starry sky." wowzers?!? not only did this discovery knock my red socks off, but i couldn't believe what i was reading! if this is true, then let's continue tapping into this developing phenomenon, Ms. Freitas and co.


since this entry has been in draft status for a couple months now, i wanted to publish it quickly to stir up some conversation...