Trust: It can be gained or lost in the matter of minutes. Trust is not tangible; it is objective to everyone, including what signifies trust for that specific person. Assuming the ethical values and moral compass of a person is of a normal standard, trust is not hard to achieve and should last forever, granted a significant other does not betray the trust you have built.

Relationships and marriage rely heavily on trust and what kind of roots the trust was made in. So why is the college generation insisting on a “hookup” culture that degrades and ruins relationships and marriages alike?

A hookup is easy and it has no strings attached so it is convenient. Just because something is convenient does not mean it is worth it, not to mention the emotional connection that a hookup lacks. Hookups do not require the work that a real relationship needs and that may be why hookups are so prevalent in colleges across the nation.

A real relationship is based on trust and the loyalty shown by two individuals. This requires both people in the relationship to compromise and love unconditionally which, in my opinion, make up the real meaning of trust.

While there is nothing wrong with casual sex, there is a difference between casual sex and a relationship and unfortunately I do not believe that the majority of college students understand where the line is drawn. I have seen so many close friends' relationships ruined by this line being crossed. Yes, college is about fun and experiencing is important, but being in a committed relationship in college means that you have to set aside all the so-called “fun” of casual sex.

It comes down to trust and the ability to have total faith in the morals and values that your partner has. With the lack of knowledge about relationships among college students it is no surprise that trust is a pitfall to many relationships within that age range.

How can it be stopped? Communication is the key to every healthy relationship, communicating what you want out of the relationship, talking about whether it is just casual sex, or something more and knowing how to communicate is just as important.

Social media has played a big role in shaping the hookup culture of today and college students have fed into it more than any other age group. Social media has made it easy for people to connect and while this a great thing for reaching out to that old sports coach or family friend, it has also created a feeding ground for people that are looking to hookup.

With this feeding ground it can make people in long term relationships act on the temptations and sever all the trust that their significant other ever had in them. With trust on the brink of collapse, relationships turn to resentment and it becomes a toxic relationship that will end badly.

Trust needs to be at the forefront if you plan on being in a relationship and ignoring the temptations can help two people have a healthy relationship. Trust is important and it needs to be thought about. Cherish the people that you have built trust with and don't let that slip away.