This research paper delves into the complex relationship between alcohol consumption and one-night stands, moving beyond the predominantly negative portrayals found in much previous literature. The study utilizes assemblage theory as its primary theoretical framework to explore how various elements, both human and non-human, converge to shape the experiences and implications of alcohol use and casual sex.
The authors highlight that casual sex, often discussed within the context of a “hook-up culture,” is prevalent among young people and frequently defined as consensual sexual activity outside of committed relationships. While earlier studies have emphasized negative outcomes such as regret, lack of pleasure, and reputational concerns, this study reveals more nuanced and often positive experiences. It challenges the notion that drunken one-night stands are inherently regrettable, particularly for women, by focusing on the pleasurable aspects reported by participants.
Drawing on qualitative interviews with 104 young Norwegian heavy drinkers who frequently engage with the night-time economy, the research uncovers several key findings:
- Alcohol-fuelled sexual explorations are of paramount importance to young partygoers, encompassing activities like erotic fantasizing, flirting, and sexual encounters themselves.
- The experiences of one-night stands are significantly shaped by “sexualized territories” such as private parties, rural feasts, and even the backseats of cars, where norms are often loosened.
- Crucially, one-night stands are associated with a dual form of pleasure: the immediate enjoyment of the sexual act itself and the longer-term pleasure derived from recounting these experiences to others as stories.
The paper posits that drunken one-night stands are an integral component of a contemporary drinking culture that values sexual encounters and personal anecdotes about them. Furthermore, it introduces the concept of a “narrative environment” as a crucial element of the alcohol assemblage, arguing that the existing repertoire of “crazy” or “fun” drinking stories significantly shapes how drunken sexual experiences are interpreted and recalled, often transforming even potentially unpleasant events into enjoyable narratives. This approach provides valuable insights into the social and affective dimensions of alcohol-related casual sex, emphasizing pleasure and storytelling alongside the risks.
Reference for the article:
Pedersen, W., Tutenges, S., & Sandberg, S. (2017). The pleasures of drunken one-night stands: Assemblage theory and narrative environments. International Journal of Drug Policy, 49, 160–167.
