Are we dating or hooking up ? : examining gender differences in heterosexual university students' experiences on first dates and hook-ups

Abstract

This study investigated heterosexual Maltese University students' experiences on first dates and hook---ups by means of an online survey method. The sample consisted of 408 single, heterosexual students aged between 17 and 33. Of these 138 (33.8%) were men and 270 (66.2%) were women. T---tests were used to examine gender differences on behaviours during first dates and hook---ups as well as the differences between securely and insecurely attached individuals' behaviours on first dates and hook---ups. The relationship between participants' ratings of their self---perceived attractiveness, self---confidence, past romantic experiences, anxiety about interacting with romantic interests and their behaviour during these romantic interactions were tested using Pearson's correlations. Finally frequency distributions were used to examine which behaviours were considered to constitute a good, bad and typical first date and a good, bad and typical hook---up. Results indicate that significantly more participants have been on a first date than a hook---up, however participants engaged in a greater number of hook---ups than first dates with the ratio of hook---ups to first dates being 9:5. Overall dating scripts reflect traditional practices, where men take on a more dominant role and women a more passive role, however the roles seem to have been reversed with regards to asking someone on a first date with more women asking men out on a first date directly than vice versa. Additionally, whilst men and women reported having similar views on which non--sexual behaviours are considered to be desirable on first dates and hook---ups, they differ in their opinions when it comes to sexual behaviours. Participants reported engaging in significantl Furthermore, men reported engaging in more sexual behaviours on first dates than women, however no gender differences were found with regards to sexual behaviours on hook---ups. Women were more likely to consume alcohol and get drunk on first dates, yet no gender differences were found with regards to alcohol consumption on hook---ups. Research findings also indicate that students who gave themselves a higher rating on self---perceived attractiveness and self---confidence seemed to fare better on first dates and hook---ups in most but not all aspects of these encounters. Finally, no significant differences were found between securely and insecurely attached individuals on the number of hook---up experiences reported.