Societal Climate
I took a lot of new things from monday’s lecture about sex and its relationship to the environment. One of the things that I decided to focus on was the terms that were introduced in the lecture. The terms that I learned was humoral theory and climate theory. Humoral theory is described as the human form as a “porous envelope,” deeply vulnerable while climate theory is the idea that particular bodily arrangements and types, particular characters, and particular qualities were endemic to (and perhaps produced by) the relative heat or cool of different regions. I found both of these terms interesting but I want to look more closely into the climate theory and how it is exemplified in today’s society . I believe that the climate theory is most related to ideas such as cuffing season and hookup culture which are vernaculars produced from this generation.
The climate theory is most closely related to cuffing season. Cuffing season is the idea that people seek out relationships during the winter time more than the summer. The theory is based on the idea that during the winter you are in the house most of the time so you would like someone to be inside with. However, during the summer months, you are most likely to be outside enjoying the weather so you do not want to be in a relationship because it would constrict a lot of your freedom. I think that this connection between the climate and our willingness to be in a relationship is true and it makes me wonder how does global warming altering the climate also impact relationships or the lack thereof.
In addition to cuffing season, there is also a term called hookup culture. Hookup culture refers to places that breeds an environment that makes it socially acceptable to participate in platonic sex. A location that foster such as an environment is that of a college campus. With all of the options, academic commitments and freedom, one is less likely to be involved in a serious relationship. Therefore, geographically, hookup culture is a societal phenomenon that can be connected to the theory of climate also.
The two terms climate theory and humoral theory are closely related to each other. However, I want to focus my attention on that of the climate theory. I believe that the climate theory is the explanation for a lot of today’s societal phenomenons. Two of these aspects that I would like to speak of is that of hookup culture and cuffing season. Cuffing season relates mainly to the climate part of the theory as it is an idea that serious relationship begin during the cold season. While hookup culture is more connected to the geographical part of the theory as it is based off the idea that there are certain locations that helps cultivate an environment that encourages sexual relations without commitment. Climate theory expresses the scientific logic behind certain societal behaviors today such as hookup culture, cuffing season, and many others that are not mentioned .