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This chapter explores the dynamics of young adults’ sexual relationships, offering a clearer picture of how young Americans pick their sexual partners, how long those relationships last, how slowly or quickly sex is introduced, and how they negotiate sex within their relationships. The chapter draws on an economic theory of sexual relationship formation and navigation, which helps explain why sexual double standards remain remarkably robust. Attention is paid to the phenomenon of “friends with benefits,” including how such relationships tend to form, with whom, and how they end. In their romantic relationships, many emerging adults make unwanted sexual requests of their partners. What do they ask for? And how do their partners evaluate such requests? This provides a segue into a discussion of online pornography, which is now nearly ubiquitous and tolerated within the vast majority of young adult relationships.

This chapter reviews current theorizing regarding the impact of cultural, social, and gender factors on young people’s attitudes toward casual sex, one-night stands, hookups, and the like. The chapter also looks at the impact of these variables on the frequency of young people’s sexual fantasies and their desire and willingness to engage in casual sexual activity. Currently, cultural psychologists, feminists, and evolutionary psychologists are engaged in a great debate as to why men and women differ in their enthusiasm for casual sex. Is it because men are more sexual beings, or is it because women who engage in casual sex face more stigma and dangers? As the sexes become more equal in opportunities, will existing gender differences disappear?

This chapter explores the history of the “B-girls”—young women employed by bars or nightclubs to act as a companion to male customers and to induce them to buy drinks, and usually paid a percentage of what the customers spent. B-girls were part of important changes in sexual and commercial culture in the 1940s and 1950s. During World War II, they joined prostitutes, pickups, and victory girls in bar-based heterosexual encounters, strategically adapting their practices to evade social protection authorities. This further developed in the 1950s when the B-girls created a professional subculture which blurred the line between commercial and casual sex and took advantage of citizens' declining support for legal campaigns to control women's sexuality. With creativity and ingenuity, mid-century drink solicitors expanded the possibilities for women's sexual license.

Casual uncommitted relationships are those that never admit even the possibility of long-term commitment, are frequently short-term, and tend to focus on sexual activity as an important aspect (though not the only aspect). That is, many people might not say they are in relationships at all, or will specifically name that they are in casual relationships. These relationships frequently involve sexual encounters that leave people feeling unfulfilled, or desiring more. Augustine of Hippo, a fifth-century lover of casual relationships in his youth, teaches us that sex is very significant, so significant that it can become unselfish, so that our own desires become surrendered to God.

Casual sexual relationship and experiences (CSREs) are defined by sexual encounters that take place outside of formal romantic relationships. These relationships are associated with sexual identity exploration and in keeping with the fluid and flexible pathways emerging adults are taking during this transitional period. Consistent with the ambiguity emblematic of these relationships, terminology used to describe these relationships are also ambiguous and can vary by degree of commitment, investment, and emotional closeness. Sexual double standards are evident; emerging adult women are more likely to be judged negatively for participating in CSREs. Transitions from casual relationships to more exclusive relationships and their influence on future romantic relationships are not well understood. A case study of one of the 29 participants is presented and recommendations for future research are discussed.