Kannada actor Aditya who's seen a lot of this happening in his own circle of
friends says, "It's a momentary show of affection . It amounts to satisfying a
basic physical need. There's no sleep lost over it. It's not dwelt on for long
and the two people involved move on in the morning. Today's generation doesn't
credit sex with too much importance. It's incidental and life goes on as
before."
This new lifestyle apparently has its advantages, especially at a time when
urban pressures are making it increasingly difficult to sustain relationships.
Aditya says it helps one to move on. "When you want to forget about a person or
the past, a casual approach to sex can help you move on," he says.
There are pitfalls attached to such behaviour, but it's become one way to tide
over personal crises, says counsellor Chaaya Vishwanathan. "What's happening is
that the physical and emotional aspects of relationships are no longer linked
the way they used to be. So, young people find they can turn to a close friend
if it's just some physical intimacy they want at a particular time," she says.
"It may not be the right thing to do, but it's happening for sure."
Model Shakeel, however, puts this emerging behaviour down to escapism. "If
someone's emotionally bruised or disturbed , casual sex with someone they know
helps them forget the hurt.
The attention momentarily makes them forget and if they can leverage it to move
on, well and good. But if they look back they are going to be doubly hurt as
guilt, too, will be added to the package," he says. Shakeel feels we've got to
this point because people don't communicate as well as before and they end up
in bed as a way of showing understanding and oneness. "It has nothing to do
with love and happens amongst friends. Love may creep in later, but it's a very
long exercise and can be quite a bother for many," he says.
Chaaya adds that "Sex has become just another activity for many youngsters. But
whatever the reason for people entering into non-committal physical
relationships, they cannot wish away the possibility of emotional bonds being
formed. And if you aren't prepared for that you are headed for disaster."
