Book III: Chapter 5 Sexual Morality Summary and Analysis

Lewis first draws a distinction between sexual morality and sexual standards within a society. While it might be fine for a woman to be in public without wearing many clothes on a South Seas island, it would not be fine in Victorian England. Regarding sexual morality, either women might be chaste or unchaste. The amount of clothing does not matter in regards to sexual morality. He then gives a nod to what might be called the generation gap, an instance in which young people have different ideas about sexual morality than older people.

The idea of being chaste, not engaging in sex before marriage and being faithful during marriage, Lewis estimates is the most unpopular of the Christian virtues. He points out sexual desire has risen, mostly due to the cultural influences that...