It’s building up inside: that awkward, jittery sensation that makes him feel like a pre-pubescent seventh grader again. “I hope she’s not allergic to these flowers. Is she digging my faux-hawk? Will she say ‘yes’ ?!?” After he cheats defeat from the bubbly “yes, of course!” chimed from her lips, the two of them may be expecting a little something something from each other come Homecoming night. What exactly is expected in today’s innocence-ridden night of celebration?

Come 5 p.m. Homecoming day, he’s already bought their couple’s tickets, paid for their limousine ride, and fit into a matching tux – pink tie included. She can’t deny that he’s looking pretty…dapper in his Bond suit that fits snugly in all the right places. And he can’t deny that she’s looking pretty…provocative as she stands scantily clad in a mini-dress by his side. So, what now; is she supposed to stand beside him and look pretty?

Many students feel obligated to “return the favor” after their Homecoming dates dish out a couple hundred bucks on them (between tickets, limos, and hotel rooms). Most of the time, people feel obligated to return this favor in a physical way. At many Homecoming after-parties, almost everyone’s doing it: are a few kisses here and there actually demeaning?

Some boys would consider this act appropriate and expected, given their chivalrous deeds and efforts that culminated in the first school dance of the year. If a guy’s only motive to asking a girl to Homecoming is to hook-up, then he’s obviously not the most genuine and caring person on the planet. On the other hand, maybe girls are setting themselves up for failure if they turn a blind-eye to this fact.

Hey, it’s not only the men who are the aggressive ones; many lady Panthers may turn the tables and expect a good time from their dates post-party, too. In our modern-age where male and females are granted equality, some girls may take it upon themselves to demand a hook-up from their dates.

Newsflash: some (a rather miniscule percentage) gentlemen do exist, expecting nothing but the bubbly company their female counterpart bestows upon them Homecoming night. Whether it is to get over a recent ex-boyfriend, make someone jealous, or just for the thrill, some girls instead expect to get physical with their dates. This leaves him feeling either A) obligated to make her happy despite his wishes or B) not accept her offer and face taunting from his male peers.

I sit here puzzled. Is this behavior all that our generation has to offer? Are we just a debauched and doomed tribe of kids with all of the wrong motives? Come Homecoming night, you decide for yourself.