What's the Difference Between Hooking-Up, Friends-With-Benefits and Being a Couple?

Teen Life     From Ellen Friedrichs, your About Teen Life Editor     Sometimes teens find themselves in confusing situations and just don't quite know where they stand. Are you just hooking up? A couple? Something different altogether? Here's some info that can help you figure it out!   Follow us on:     What Are Friends-With-Benefits? The term "friends-with-benefits" seems to pop up a lot. In fact, there is even a movie with that title, and almost everyone in high school today knows someone who describes their situation in this way. Though some teens like the idea of being friends-with-benefits, others worry that at least one of the people involved might be hurt in the process. READ NOW   What Does "Hooking-Up" Really Mean? The term "hooking-up" might be one of the most widely defined out there. For some people it just refers to kissing, for others it can actually mean intercourse. So how do you know what someone is actually taking about when they mention that people hooked-up? The best way is to ask! But keep in mind, most people assume that hooking-up is something that happens outside of a relationship. READ NOW   How Do I Know if He's My Boyfriend? A teen asks, "I've been hanging out with this guy for nearly 2 months. We kiss and hold hands and do things that couples do but I’m just not clear on where we stand. Are we dating or are we just friends? We haven’t had “the talk” yet and I’m a bit scared to bring it up but it’s getting to the point where I really want to know." Here's what she can do. READ NOW   Is it a Date or Are We Just Hanging Out as Friends? How can you tell if it is a date, or if you are just friends hanging out? One teen asks how to figure out what is going on in this confusing, but all too common, situation. READ NOW   ADVERTISEMENT Featured Articles Is Kissing Somebody Else Considered Cheating? Teen Dating Quiz How Are Christians Supposed to Look at Dating? Can I Make Him Want More Than Friends With Benefits? What Are Open Relationships What is a No-Strings-Attached Relationship More from About.com Sign up for Shareables! An every-morning rundown of the day in history, with headlines and trends produced by your pals at About.com. Click here to sign up! It's free (of course) and we think you'll like it! Want More From About.com? Check out our social channels tailored to every interest! Sign up for more free newsletters on your favorite topics You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the About.com Teen Life newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. If you would like to unsubscribe from all newsletters sent from About.com, please send an email to optout@about.com with "Unsubscribe" as the subject line. Contact Information: 1500 Broadway, 6th Floor New York, NY, 10036 Privacy Policy © 2014 About.com