It seems like everywhere you look these days someone is freaking out about “hookup culture” — the idea that kids are having way too many casual romantic encounters than ever before. They argue that as a result of this chaotic sexual free-for-all, which is spurred on by changing norms and new technology (think Tinder), young people are failing to form meaningful, lasting relationships, and are suffering as a result. But a look at the numbers reveals that these fears are seriously overstated, and in this week’s Science of Us animation we set the record straight — and explain why fears of young people’s promiscuity are such a perennial concern of adults.
After you’ve watched this, make sure to check out our past episodes, which will help explain why you always misunderstand certain song lyrics, how you can calm down after taking in too much stressful news, and how you can easily spot the narcissists in your life.
