Prostitution In The 1800s

Historians argue that prostitution was a form of negotiation on the part of the women involved and it allowed them to seek out alternatives to poor working conditions and low pay (Laite 734). According to Elliot West, “the oldest profession should be considered an aspect such as serious subjects as western communities, their changes, economic development and attitudes of their people,” (West 18). Prostitution was an alternative business opportunity that allowed women monetary freedom and independence. It was an economic necessity and a lucrative business model and many women chose to participate because they believed it offered them a higher standard of life than working in factories or

Abel, Gillian, et al. Taking the crime out of sex work: New Zealand sex workers fight for decriminalisation. Policy Press, 2010. Part two: Implementation and impact of the Prostitution Reform Act (2003): the first five years: Review of the PRA

Prostitution is the “world’s oldest profession” that was practice in all ancient cultures and is still practice as of today in the world. It was not prominent in Colonial America but it did exist and became more popular when sailors and merchants came. The women at the time were called “nightwalkers” and there was a tolerance to prostitution since it was not a crime but it was looked down upon. There was not any laws until 1870 when Anthony Comstock begins his Anti-Porn campaign. An 1873 bill makes it a crime to send obscene material through the mail; this is later called the Comstock Act, which did not directly deal with prostitution.

During the middle of the nineteenth century, social, economic, and cultural change interrupted traditional lifestyles and brought forth a new ideal of the meaning of success. With cultural changes, men were hungry for power and women were left with little opportunity to earn a wage that would allow them to live independently. Due to this lack of independence, many women were often left to rely on their own bodies to make money through prostitution. Women’s prostitution was brought to new heights as more men entered cities in hopes of success, both economically and socially. In addition to men’s impact on prostitution, media such as “flash press” brought much attention to prostitution.

Prostitution became one of the few professions a woman could make a good living to get money. The money may have been good, but the work they had put in certainly left much to be desired. Most women caught sexuallly transmitted diseases doing this job. There were many young ladies who desired independence and didn't want to work the endless hours of home

During the Victorian era, women were classified as either being the stay at home mother, or a prostitute. This essay will critically review the statement ‘The regulation of prostitution during the Victorian period – through the contagious disease acts - symbolised a sexual double standard of morality. One that required different standards of chastity for men and women.’ This statement will be reviewed by drawing upon contemporary and historical and sexual double standards. The regulation of prostitution in Britain became a matter of urgency in the middle and later decades of the nineteenth century (Howell, 2000). Moeoever, this essay will also include a description of the Contagious Disease Acts, how it was implemented during the Victorian period, and how it affected the women, and those defined as prostitutes.

The increased regulation and social advocacy surrounding sex led to the civil rights and privacy of prostitutes being infringed upon and led the way to further regulation and suppression of the occupation in the nineteenth-century. Without focusing on the root causes of the prostitution problem, local magistrates conspired against the prostitutes in order to publically shame them and in some cases exile them from England altogether. Essentially, the predominantly male reformists were denigrating something that they themselves considered to be a necessity. They wanted prostitution to exist, but on their terms and where they, and others that wandered the London streets could not see

One described prostitution as victims, even call them “prostituted women” instead of just a prostitutes to underscore that something had been done to them. Other scholars and church officials during the medieval ages saw prostitution as work just like any other work, and women choose to become prostitutes because it pays better or have better work conditions than other occupations for women. As well, there are many cases that women were cohered into becoming prostitutes by their families and employers. Karras

After four years of deprivation and hardship, there was a sexual awakening in Paris after WWI. The “City of Light” were, once again, lit up. Prostitution was legal and brothels flourish. The erotic charms of Paris enticed American soldiers to return and indulge themselves. Not only was Paris the ideal place to fulfill foreigner’s sexual appetite, but it was also an escape from dissatisfaction of one’s home or country.

Prostitution, is an old occupation, where women are employed in selling sex for money. Money, can be a key component and motivator to why women become prostitutes. Most of the prostitutes come from low-income backgrounds. Prostitution is a well-paying occupation for women. Prostitution provides increasing income for all prostitutes varying from one another. Many places in United States, except Nevada, banned prostitution. In the late 1800s, women solicited sex from men for money to earn profits, which has proceeded over the years. Lower-class prostitutes look to sell sex for money to supplement their income. Some start at a young age to come up with ways to pay for books and tuitions, without realizing the consequences or danger involved. Prostitution is illegal and most are not eager to be studied.

A chance encounter brought her face to face with a stranger whom she offered herself for the night yet was rebuffed by the gentleman for being married and encompassed many lofty ideals towards his wife, daughter, and family. Impressed with such lofty ideals, the woman of the street unfolded her saga and the young man found to his amazement the true colors behind one of the oldest professions in this world – prostitution.

Note by the author This document owes a lot to Max Chaleil’s work. His book, ‘Le corps prostitué : le sexe dévorant’ is the main reference of this file. This historical summary will mainly concern France, even though there are a few comparisons with the situation of prostitution in other countries. 1. The Beginnings : Sexual hospitality and sacred prostitution It is not so sure that prostitution is the oldest trade in the world; the Europeans admitted to it during the colonial years. In some European societies, prostitution was associated with the notion of hospitality – various women of the house were offered to guests passing through. This custom used to exist in Chaldea, in India, in Egypt and throughout

Prostitution: one of the oldest professions in the history of time. Prostitution developed as society developed; it grew with the increase in social structure, government and religion. Throughout many historic eras and civilizations, prostitution as an institution diversified and grew to become more complex. It took on different roles in the various sectors of society. Prostitution could be seen as having different roles in religious, government, and community sectors. These different roles in society will be examined in the civilizations of ancient Mesopotamia, India, and Greece, and Israel.

Prostitution is a growing social problem around the world, and continues to grow here in the United States. The existence goes far back as biblical times to Ancient Greece where it was associated with religion. Despite efforts to eradicate it, prostitution has the uncanny ability of adapting itself to any institutional system. Whether tolerated as a social evil

But, from the Middle Ages onwards communities started to show less tolerance towards the activity and even less in the early sixteenth century with the emergence of the Renaissance and the Protestant Reformation Movements (Dill: p.25). Prostitution was condemned by the Church and prostitutes stigmatised in the cities. Their situation worsened even more over that period with the outbreak of sexually transmitted diseases which only made them to be looked down upon, as mindless and immoral promiscuous individuals. After that found, brothels and prostitutes were outlawed by the authorities. And despite the risks they could have faced under the law, sex selling continued illegally. (Ottis: p.13)