“Cuffing season” is upon us once again. Another season of matching pajamas, pumpkin patches, couples Christmas photos and the list goes on.
The phenomenon of cuffing season — which lasts from late October to early February — can possibly be better referred to as the beginning of the winter blues. This year, though, there is a way to avoid being alone and bitter throughout the holiday season.
Cuffing season is coming full force and what better time than now to understand and prepare for what to expect.
Cuffing season is defined by the Oxford dictionary, “As the cold autumn and winter months seen as a period where it’s especially desirable to enter a romantic relationship.”
Cuffing is a term used especially in the African-American community. This is a period where people want to snuggle and cuddle. It is ideal to go out while there is just the smallest bit of warmth left and pick who you want to stay in the house with during the colder months.
While it may seem cute and cuddly to choose a special someone to share the holiday season with, it is imperative that when selecting said person that there is also a common knowledge about the safety risks during cuffing season.
USA Today has highlighted a devastating occurrence that happens all over multiple college campuses around the country that’s called the “Red Zone.” The Red Zone is a time on campus when students are more likely to be victims of sexual assault.
According to USA Today, “The period of time between the first day students arrive on campus through Thanksgiving break. Research has revealed this is when 50% of sexual assaults on campuses occur. Perpetrators go after college freshmen or incoming transfer students as they adjust to college life and partying,” USA Today reported.
In Tallahassee there are preventative measures that can be effective and educate college students on sexual assault and how to reduce the number of potential victims.
Sexual assault isn’t the only safety concern when participating in cuffing season. Sexually transmitted diseases are a major concern for college students. Students who want to have unprotected sexual intercourse put themselves at risk during this time trying to find a partner.
According to the Tallahassee Democrat, “Leon (county) had the highest rate of newly diagnosed cases of chlamydia, with 1,153.4 cases for every 100,000 residents.”
So being careful within sexual health is also imperative for the months of cuffing season.
Makayla Langford, a fourth-year, psychology major at Florida A&M, shared her views on why she thinks cuffing season is the phenomenon that it has grown to be.
“I think cuffing around this time of the year has to do with biological, psychological and social factors that all work together,” she said.
“In colder months like winter people are more likely to get seasonal depression because there’s less serotonin produced in the winter, so that could be a reason,” Langford added.
She followed this statement by saying, “When it’s cold outside nobody really feels like going out. It just seems more appealing to Netflix and chill instead,” Langford said.
Cuffing season has arrived, so it’s important that find who you want before who you don’t want finds you.