Waiting to have sex can deepen intimacy between partners as it allows them to build emotional connection, trust, and communication skills before engaging in a physical relationship. By holding off on sex, couples have the opportunity to explore and understand each other on a deeper level, focusing on emotional and intellectual compatibility rather than purely physical attraction. This process of getting to know each other’s values, goals, and dreams can foster a stronger bond and ultimately lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful intimate relationship. It also allows couples to develop a solid foundation of mutual respect, commitment, and shared values, which can enhance long-term compatibility and relationship satisfaction.
Overall research findings strongly suggest that a majority of both men and women are motivated to engage in hookups but often desire a more romantic relationship. This is consistent with a more nuanced evolutionary biopsychosocial perspective that takes into account the social context and the cross-cultural and biological centrality of the pair bond (Fisher, 1992; Jankowiak & Fischer, 1992; Pedersen et al., 2011; Gray & Garcia, 2013). Hookups, although increasingly socially acceptable, may leave more “strings” than public discourse would suggest.
References
Sexual Hookup Culture: A Review: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3613286/#R76
Fisher ML, Worth K, Garcia JR, Meredith T. Feelings of regret following uncommitted sexual encounters in Canadian university students. Culture, Health & Sexuality. 2012;14:45–57. doi: 10.1080/13691058.2011.619579
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22077716/
Jankowiak WR, Fischer EF. A cross-cultural perspective on romantic love. Ethnology. 1992;31:149–155. doi: 10.2307/3773618
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3773618?origin=crossref
