The topic that’s getting all the ink? Dating – or rather, the lack thereof. For the past few years, a trend has been growing right along with the ivy on those hallowed buildings: to socialize with groups of friends rather than spend time with one significant other.

So prevalent is the choice today to hang out with a pack of male and female friends – about 5 to 15 at once – that some say it’s more than a trend.



“It’s become a well-established institution,” insists Drew Pinsky, who counsels teens and their parents, and speaks frequently about social issues on college campuses. He also cohosts the syndicated radio show “Loveline.”

Dating on college campuses has been replaced by what’s commonly called “hooking up,” according to a recent nationwide study of more than 1,000 college women by the Independent Women’s Forum (IWF).



Respondents define the term this way: “A girl and a guy get together for a physical encounter and don’t necessarily expect anything further.”



More here.