The sexual revolution promised liberation but has led to widespread dissatisfaction and societal decline.
At a Glance
- Nathanael Blake’s new book argues the sexual revolution has failed to deliver happiness
- Despite widespread adoption, sexual liberalism hasn’t increased satisfaction or solved social issues
- Birthrates in developed nations are declining, leading to aging and loneliness
- Critics suggest the revolution’s promises were empty, resulting in societal harm
- Traditional norms and commitments are being reconsidered as potential solutions
The Illusion of Liberation
In his latest book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All, commentator Nathanael Blake argues that the sexual revolution has failed to deliver on its core promises of freedom and personal fulfillment. As Blake writes, society has adopted sexual liberalism across nearly every institution, yet this ideological shift has not produced widespread happiness or lasting societal benefits.
Instead, Blake asserts, the abandonment of traditional moral frameworks has deepened personal dissatisfaction. This mirrors claims made in studies showing that liberal sexual attitudes correlate with lower reported happiness, particularly among women. Blake’s critique is not merely cultural—he sees it as civilizational, pointing to weakening social cohesion and eroding interpersonal trust.
Watch a report: False Promises: Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All.
https://thefederalist.com/2025/06/02/sexual-revolution-failed/
Societal Consequences
One of Blake’s core contentions is that sexual liberalism has contributed to the steep decline in birthrates across industrialized nations. As shown in recent UN demographic forecasts, many developed countries are not replacing their populations, leading to labor shortages, aging demographics, and rising loneliness. Blake links these trends to a cultural rejection of stable family formation and long-term commitment.
This argument aligns with Louise Perry’s work in The Case Against the Sexual Revolution, where she describes how liberal sexual norms often leave individuals—especially women—vulnerable and disillusioned. Perry and Blake both suggest that the revolution’s supposed empowerment has, in many cases, resulted in exploitation, commodification, and emotional harm.
Reconsidering Traditional Norms
As dissatisfaction with the outcomes of sexual liberalism grows, Blake calls for a societal shift back toward traditional commitments like marriage, monogamy, and family life. He argues these institutions, far from being repressive, are protective structures that promote long-term flourishing. This echoes Mary Eberstadt’s findings in Adam and Eve After the Pill, Revisited, where she documents how the collapse of shared norms has fueled modern social crises.
Blake’s position is not without critics. Advocates for sexual freedom argue that the revolution allowed for greater individual autonomy and reduced stigma around nontraditional lifestyles. Yet the persistence of dissatisfaction—even among those who embrace these values—has prompted a broader reconsideration of what freedom and fulfillment actually mean. In Blake’s view, it may be time to ask whether the revolution succeeded in theory but failed in practice.
