Modern Wisdom – #698 – Mary Eberstadt – Did The Sexual Revolution Actually Benefit Women?

Intro

In this episode of the “Modern Wisdom” podcast, host Chris Williamson explores the question of whether the sexual revolution actually benefited women. He is joined by Mary Eberstadt, a prominent author and cultural commentator, who provides valuable insights into the unintended consequences of the sexual revolution.

Main Takeaways

The Unintended Consequences of the Sexual Revolution

• The introduction of the pill increased the number of single mothers.
• The invention of hormonal birth control increased the number of abortions.
• The birth control pill was supposed to reduce abortion and strengthen marriage but instead led to a sharp rise in divorce rates and later cohabitation.
• Contraception does not reduce abortion by changing intentionality, but rather makes pregnancy a woman’s problem.
• The adoption of contraception made pregnancy solely a woman’s problem.
• The sexual revolution decreased the necessity of men as protectors and fathers.
• The social approbation for the traditional male role is missing and has gone missing because of the sexual revolution.
• Increase in abortions, out of wedlock births, and single parent households, which are almost exclusively single mother households.
• Divorce rates skyrocketed in the 1970s and 1980s, and while they have stabilized, it’s because many people have dispensed with marriage in the first place.
• Risks of abuse to children are highest in homes without a biological father, with a 40 times increase.

The Impact on Women and Relationships

• The sexual revolution may not have benefited women as much as we think.
• The sexual revolution had paradoxical fallout, and women and children ended up being the biggest losers.
• The rise in female unhappiness and psychological fragility of young people is due to social media exacerbating pre-existing issues.
• The reduction in relationships has led to a lack of trusted individuals to learn from and be loved and protected by.
• The current culture prioritizes individual pleasure and convenience at the expense of everything else.
• Pornography is bad for romance, which means it’s bad for both sexes.
• The sexual revolution made it harder for women to get a husband and a family.
• Men are not being given their due, including the privilege of protecting a woman and children.
• Millions of young men are involved in pornography, which is evidence of harm and a barrier to romance.
• The reduction in social knowledge is at the root of many issues in society today.

The Rise of Identity Politics

• The implosion of the family has left many people feeling disconnected and in need of protection, leading to the rise of identity politics.
• Identity politics is deforming the politics of the Western world by creating absolutist groups that claim no one else can understand them.
• Confusion around sexual behavior and gender identity is not shocking given the lack of social knowledge and messages sent to boys and girls in homes without fathers.
• People are struggling and feeling lost without role models and archetypes to follow in a time of massive turbulence and technological change.
• We are at the beginning of a renorming about social media, screens, and the internet.
• In 10-20 years, there will be better strategies to keep kids from getting too involved with screens and social media.
• The implosion of the family has left many vulnerable people at the end of life unattached and lonely.
• The severity of cancel culture and identity politics is proving to be too much to bear and is encouraging people to recognize suffering and move on.
• The world of cancellation doesn’t allow a second chance, but nobody wants to live in a world like that.
• Exercise empathy and see suffering people as victims in the proper sense.

Summary

The Unintended Consequences of the Sexual Revolution

The sexual revolution, marked by the approval of the birth control pill in the 1960s, was intended to empower women and reduce societal issues such as abortion and divorce. However, it had unintended consequences that negatively impacted women and children. The introduction of hormonal birth control increased the number of single mothers and abortions. Contrary to expectations, divorce rates soared, and cohabitation became more prevalent. The adoption of contraception shifted the responsibility of pregnancy solely onto women, diminishing the necessity of men as protectors and fathers. This led to an increase in single-parent households, which are predominantly single mother households. The absence of a biological father in these homes significantly raises the risks of abuse to children.

The Impact on Women and Relationships

Despite the promise of liberation, the sexual revolution may not have benefited women as much as anticipated. Women’s happiness has decreased over the last 50 years, despite increased freedom and liberation. The rise of social media has exacerbated pre-existing psychological fragility among young people. The reduction in meaningful relationships has left individuals lacking trusted sources of love, protection, and guidance. The prioritization of individual pleasure and convenience has hindered romance and made it harder for women to find fulfilling relationships and build families. The prevalence of pornography among millions of young men further complicates relationship dynamics. The decline in social knowledge contributes to various societal issues.

The Rise of Identity Politics

The breakdown of the traditional family unit has left many individuals feeling disconnected and in need of protection. This has led to the rise of identity politics, where people join groups based on victimhood and seek validation. Identity politics has deformed the politics of the Western world, creating absolutist groups that claim exclusive understanding. The confusion surrounding sexual behavior and gender identity can be attributed, in part, to the lack of social knowledge and absent father figures in many homes. The absence of role models and archetypes in a time of societal turbulence and technological change has left people feeling lost. However, there is hope for a renorming of social media and screens, with future strategies aimed at reducing their negative impact. The implosion of the family has also resulted in loneliness and vulnerability at the end of life, highlighting the need for empathy and recognizing suffering.

Conclusion

The sexual revolution, while intended to bring freedom and liberation, had unintended consequences that negatively impacted women, children, and society as a whole. The rise of identity politics, coupled with the breakdown of traditional family structures, has left individuals feeling disconnected and in need of protection. It is crucial to acknowledge the unintended consequences of the sexual revolution and work towards a society that prioritizes healthy relationships, strong families, and empathy for those who have been negatively affected. By recognizing the importance of social knowledge, nurturing meaningful connections, and fostering a sense of grandeur in traditional roles, we can strive for a more fulfilling and balanced future.