Generally speaking, apart from a few conservative countries, we live in a world of increased sexual freedom. The generation that preceded us is generally considered to have lived under greater sexual restraint, so if Unwin's theory is correct, the effects of this change would only become visible gradually. However, it would be ignorant to conclude that a study conducted before the sexual revolution can simply be applied to our generation without question. There are many anthropologists and scholars who consider Unwin's studies outdated, and his methodology and conclusions have been heavily criticized. His theory therefore may not entirely apply to the modern world. Nevertheless, Sex and Culture gives us an interesting perspective on the relationship between sexual morality and the rise and decline of societies throughout history.
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