The Journal

Feminists Must Abandon Their Delusions About The Sexual Revolution

“Sex-positive feminism is just one instantiation of a larger liberal movement intent on maximising individual freedom – which is a fine project, up to a point. ” -Louise Perry

Abstract

"My first book will be published on 3 June. It’s titled The Case Against the Sexual Revolution and it pretty much does what it says on the tin. My argument is that the sexual revolution that began in the 1960s has mostly not been of benefit to women.

As I write this, the first reviews are being published, as well as several extracts, and the word “provocative” is coming up a lot, as I thought it probably would. The Sunday Times is running a very alarming poll on its website asking readers: “Do you agree with Louise Perry’s opinions?” I gulped when I first saw this, but have since been pleasantly surprised to see that about three quarters of respondents have so far answered “yes”, suggesting that, if I am a provocateur, then I am not an especially outrageous one."

This article appears in the Jun 2022 issue of the New Statesman, Platinum Jubilee Special

Louise Perry

Louise Perry

Writer, The New Statesmen, Agent, The Hamilton Agency

Louise Perry is a writer and campaigner based in London, UK. She writes a weekly column for the New Statesman and also writes for The Times, UnHerd, The Critic, The Daily Mail, and The Telegraph. Her book, The Case Against the Sexual Revolution: A New Guide to Sex in the 21st Century, will be published by Polity Books in 2022.

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