Mary Eberstadt

Whereas Eberstadt's first book looked at the mirror-effects of the Sexual Revolution on individuals, Revisited looks at the macro-effects on politics, economics, and culture. While she is never without statistics and studies to prove her point, broadening the scope simultaneously weakens her argument. The Sexual Revolution becomes *the* defining event of history; everything bad in the world is the logical conclusion. That may be true but there is also contributing factors, no less important. Yes, we can thank the Sexual Revolution for the supply and consumption of pornography in this country. But it doesn't reach the levels it has now achieved without technological developments like the internet. I hardly doubt Eberstadt would agree, it's just she's already committed to her thesis.

There is also the question of the "new, secular religion," the term she uses to describe modern Progressivism or the New Left. That it is a regression to paganism is already a cliche. Sure, it shares many of the trappings of America's older civil religion, but is it really religious when its strongest proponents are also full-throated defenders of pure subjectivism rooted in complete self-expression? Perhaps its best to think of the adherents of Eberstadt's secular religion as the authors of "The Green Book" from C.S. Lewis' Abolition of Man. They confess one thing with their mouth but another by their actions.

Readers will most benefit from Eberstadt's insight into the link between families and organized religion--as one goes so goes the other. Void of both familial and spiritual connections, many in this new generation seek fulfillment elsewhere, sometimes in extremist political groups like those who participated enthusiastically in the 2020 Summer of Violence. The connections between the Sexual Revolution and BLM are fascinating if not immediately noticeable.

Protestants can benefit greatly from the Catholic Eberstadt, even if they will need to add their own distinctives to the analysis. Why does it seem churches who grow leniency in one area necessarily fall down the slippery slope? Conservative Protestants who have siloed themselves into new denominations already know: when you give up the authority of Scripture, nothing is off the table.

It would be good for Protestants to read and reflect on this book and reconsider their own sexual ethics. Reading the old Reformers may reveal just how far we've travelled from our own heritage.

Links for further reflections on the Sexual Revolution:
Part 1: https://thepublictheologyproject.substack.com/p/the-sexual-revolution-part-1
Part 2: https://thepublictheologyproject.substack.com/p/the-sexual-revolution-part-2… (altro)

From Goodreads:

Mary Eberstadt investigates a fairly straightforward question: Has the sexual revolution been an unqualified improvement for mankind? And, more pointedly, has it been an unqualified improvement for women? Eberstadt states her conclusion in the beginning; it is a simple "no." In fact, Eberstadt claims, a social revolution that promised women more happiness has appeared to leave them less satisfied than they were before (Eberstadt's book is filled with social science and surveys which she uses as the main defense for many of her assertions). And if this was all she was doing, it would still be helpful but not nearly as profound. Eberstadt's insight is to examine four different stakeholders in the sexual revolution: women, men, children, and young adults and draw out several paradoxes. Each one demonstrates that the negative consequences of the sexual revolution far outweigh the benefits. Women are bereft of romance in a ecosystem of sexual plenty; freed from the responsibilities of being fathers and husbands, men are spared into perpetual adolescence; children remain the forgotten victims of a sexual market built on consent rather than duty; and young adults (particularly young women) are too often victimized in a sexual market that favors predators and sexually aggressive males.

For those who already agree with Eberstadt, most of her work is to provide words for what many have already felt. There are a couple pithy lines in here that are classics and worthy of repeating. But for those who are inclined to disagree, you would probably better off reading the surveys themselves rather than Eberstadt's interpretation of them and return to her thoughts later.

Overall, its a worthwhile read and one that is guaranteed to stir thoughts and provoke conversations.

Links for further reflections on the Sexual Revolution:
Part 1: https://thepublictheologyproject.substack.com/p/the-sexual-revolution-part-1
Part 2: https://thepublictheologyproject.substack.com/p/the-sexual-revolution-part-2… (altro)