Effects Of Prostitution In The 19th Century

Essay #1:

Historians have taken note that throughout the nineteenth century, the idea of sex was considered taboo even in monogamous, committed relationships. Having sex once a month was considered “enough,” and most people during this time believed that any more than that was dangerous. This mentality was emotionally damaging, but it was standard at the time, even verified by doctors. The concept of remaining abstinent 353 days out of every year was the norm, and this led to unsafe and unhealthy conditions.
Repressed sexual urges in the nineteenth century led to an influx of prostitution. According to research conducted the British publication Independent, “In 1839, in London, a city of two million inhabitants, there were estimated to be around 80,000 prostitutes.” This is shocking when put into context: if this was happening at such a widespread rate across the pond, what was happening in the meantime in the United States?
Men and women have totally different chemical compositions, which cause different responses to sexual intercourse. In nineteenth century America, men were assumed to be more outwardly sexual and straightforward with their desires, while women experienced the same longings in more secluded settings. Another stereotype that passed through this generation was that men were able to resist temptation and

This was likely because housewives were so isolated and seldom heard throughout the nineteenth century. Other factors contributed to a heightened disdain toward sexuality, including race. Interracial relationships drifted into the mainstream over the course of the century, leading to political discourse and debates concerning how class should be treated in personal relationships. A sexualized black man was considered threatening, whereas a white man with the same wants fell into the categories of “powerful,” “ambitious,” even measured as more “manly” than a man of