The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Did the sexual revolution go wrong?

May 2, 2022

Christine Emba, author of "Rethinking Sex" and Washington Post columnist, dives into the complexities of modern sexual culture. She argues many Americans are left unsatisfied and unsure of what they want. Emba challenges the limitations of consent, advocating for a new sexual ethic that emphasizes emotional connection. The conversation also explores the decline of sexual activity among youth and the impact of dating apps. Emba's reflections on the balance of individual freedom and societal responsibility raise important questions about the future of intimacy.

58:41

Episode guests

Christine Emba

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Episode notes

Intro

3min

Rethinking Consent and Sexual Ethics

12min

Exploring the Decline of Sexual Activity Among Young People

4min

Navigating Sexual Complexities

24min

The Burden of Freedom: Happiness and Sexual Liberation

3min

Navigating Individual Freedom and Social Responsibility

2min

Challenging Sexual Stigmas

6min

Exploring Human Flourishing in the Context of Sexuality

2min

Sean Illing talks with author and Washington Post columnist Christine Emba about whether or not we need to rethink sex. They discuss why, according to the research and reporting in Emba's new book Rethinking Sex, many Americans are unhappy with the sex they're having, and don't fully understand what they want. They also talk about how her Catholic faith informs her views on sex, why it's necessary to expand on the framework of "consent," and what kind of sexual culture Emba hopes to see in the world.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Christine Emba (@ChristineEmba), author & reporter

References:

Rethinking Sex: A Provocation by Christine Emba (Sentinel; 2022)
"Consent is not enough. We need a new sexual ethic," by Christine Emba (Washington Post; Mar. 17)
"People Have Been Having Less Sex—whether They're Teenagers or 40-Somethings" by Emily Willingham (Scientific American; Jan. 3)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall

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