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25 Jun 2026
55m

Is it Time for a New Sexual Revolution?

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Interesting Times with Ross Douthat

The sexual revolution, driven by the introduction of the contraceptive pill and shifting cultural ideologies, has fundamentally altered the landscape of male-female relations, often to the detriment of women’s safety and social stability. Louise Perry, author of *The Case Against the Sexual Revolution*, argues that inherent biological differences between the sexes necessitate a rebalancing of societal norms to account for female vulnerability. While modern feminism has prioritized individual autonomy, this approach has failed to address the fallout of hookup culture, leading to widespread "hetero-pessimism" and alienation. Digital conditions further exacerbate these tensions by exposing private grievances and encouraging ideological polarization. Ultimately, the path forward involves recognizing these biological realities and fostering stable, committed relationships, as current feminist frameworks struggle to provide a sustainable model for reproduction and social cohesion in a post-digital world.

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