For the Good of the Public

Rethinking Sex

Aug 7, 2024

Christine Emba, a staff writer at the Atlantic and author of Rethinking Sex, teams up with Chine McDonald, director of Theos, to tackle modern sexual ethics. They unravel the idea that consent alone isn’t enough, stating that intimacy and emotional engagement are crucial for fulfilling relationships. The discussion dives into the challenges of loneliness among young people, the evolving nature of masculinity, and the church's role in fostering healthy conversations around sexuality. Both guests advocate for richer, genuine connections in today’s romantic landscape.

29:04

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Episode guests

Christine Emba

Chine McDonald

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Christine Emba emphasizes that consent, while necessary, should not be the final standard for healthy sexual and emotional relationships.

The conversation highlights the need for positive male role models to combat the crisis of masculinity affecting young men today.

Deep dives

The Limitations of Consent in Sexual Ethics

The central argument presented is that a cultural focus on consent as the primary sexual ethic is insufficient and problematic. Christine Emba discusses how this legalistic view reduces sexual encounters to mere contractual agreements, often leading individuals to feel trapped by their consent. Young people frequently report experiences where they felt uncomfortable or unhappy but felt compelled to dismiss their feelings because they technically consented. This critique illustrates a need for a more nuanced understanding of what constitutes healthy and meaningful intimacy, beyond the minimalist standard of consent.

Intro

6min

Beyond Consent: Rethinking Intimacy

8min

Societal Shifts and the Quest for Genuine Connection

2min

Redefining Masculinity in a Changing World

7min

The Church's Role in Masculinity and Sexuality

6min

In this episode of For the Good of the Public podcast, Michael and Phebe present a conversation with Christine Emba, staff writer at the Atlantic and author of Rethinking Sex: A Provocation, and Chine McDonald, director of Theos, a research think tank based in London. Christine argues that when it comes to sexual ethics today, “Consent is the floor. It was never meant to be the ceiling.” In this vital conversation, Christine and Chine help us face the reality of our culture today, and discuss what it might look like to build a healthier culture around sexuality and romantic relationships.

Watch the video recording of this talk on YouTube!

“It also feels like from your work and your conversation with younger people, that there is almost a realization that consent isn’t enough, that there is a dissatisfaction somewhere in their sexual relationships.” -Chine [10:34]

“As a number of people have told me, the vibes are bad. They’re very bad in the romantic culture. And that’s actually true.” -Christine [11:58]

TIMESTAMPS

[00:00] Intro

[02:29] What we highlighted this conversation

[04:47] About this week’s guests

[06:11] The problem with the focus on consent

[10:35] It’s ok to want intimacy

[15:44] Men and toxic masculinity

[23:12] The role of the Church

[28:07] Outro

REFERENCES