Since the 1960s we have witnessed ‘the overturning and liberalization of long-established social and moral attitudes to sex.’

Central to this sexual revolution has been a relaxation of the idea that sex is given for enjoyment within the constraints of marriage.  But it also includes:-

• a more explicit portrayal of sex in the media
• a normalisation of cohabitation
• a liberalisation of attitudes towards same-sex sex
• the mainstreaming of pornography
• a greater acceptance of sexual deviancy
• the increasing acceptance the notion of gender fluidity

A number of factors have been at play in this sea-change of attitudes and behaviours:-

• the introduction of generous welfare benefits
• the rise of service industries
• campaigns for equal pay for women
• second-wave feminism
• liberalisation of divorce laws
• reliable contraception

Such changes – many of them good in themselves – have contributed to a weakening of the link between sex and marriage, and of the idea that marriage entails a life-long commitment.

In addition to these economic and social changes, new forms of individualism have become popular. These have contributed to a wholescale rejection of external authority and the wisdom of tradition.  this has been fuelled by an increasing sense of control of nature itself.

‘Freedom’ has become the watchword.  Freedom from ‘nature’, from authority.  Freedom to be ‘me’.  And this was fed by pop psychology, burgeoning post-war consumerism and the reach of popular media, with its advertising and celebrity role models.  Finally, people are saying that quality of life is enhanced by putting one’s own needs before those of the community.  We have transitioned from ‘we’ to ‘me’.

Based on: Harrison, Glynn. A Better Story: God, Sex And Human Flourishing. IVP.  Chapter 1.