The audience gathered for this year's Family Planning Association Debate, held at the University of Westminster, London, UK on 15 September 2011, might have been forgiven for thinking that the answer to the title question was obvious. Yes, of course we live in a sexualised society. Done, dusted, let's go home.

The event itself, however, proved much more far-reaching – and fascinating – than that knee-jerk reaction. The host, Matthew Wright, whose TV presenter title belied his facilitation skills, guided us through a maze of issues surrounding the question – not only whether the correct answer is ‘Yes’ but also whether, if so, that is a problem.

Sadly, …