Analysis Of Nineteenth Century Prostitution By Mrs. Rosen

In the Victorian Era it was so inappropriate to talk about sexuality, it is hard to find anything in literature that could connect the irreproachable and honorable aristocracy to prostitution in any ways. Although, the best patrons of these working women were always the nobility. To tell exactly how many prostitutes were in Britain in the 19th century would be an absolutely futile attempt, since the “hidden prostitution” problem due to brothels, and the stuffed small homes where too many people lived all together. It was widely recognized that the

As a valid occupation, fully legal under the law in the early nineteenth century, prostitution was met with public dismay. However, it was still seen as an occupation, just one that left much to be desired. The fact that it was an occupation was very much built into the figure of the willing prostitute, the one who entered into the profession freely. Abraham Flexner, a contemporary, commented that prostitutes, ones in rural areas in particular, tended to the ‘”unskilled daughters of the unskilled classes”’. Becoming a prostitute does, to some degree, allow economic independence for women outside of male control. Louise Tilly and Joan Scott noted that women often entered into the urban job market in order to help support herself or her family, an accepted circumstance within Victorian society. Increased migration from rural areas to urban areas was due to the declining job market in rural counties due to industrialisation. However, the job market in urban cities was often not as welcoming as rural girls might think, forcing or coercing them into prostitution in order to survive. In fact, as Paula Bartley identifies, ‘prostitutes were considered the archetypal victims of industrialisation’ by the end of the nineteenth century with contemporary feminists claiming that prostitution was the artificial consequence of constraints on women within the social and

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 at the time was a large business in the US, this was not always the choice of the prostitute however with Sex Trafficking being a “legal” practice since there technically were no laws prohibiting the transportation of females for sexual purposes. Reportedly, some men would go as far as setting up fake weddings so they could take a young women’s “purity” which they would then be shamed for and would have troubles finding an actual husband. Women such as Jane Addams are a prime example of reformists that investigated this shoddy practice. A large reason that people started to argue against Prostitution was the new discoveries in social hygiene, which also implemented sex education into schools all over the country. This reform and plenty others eventually would lead to the Elkin-Mann Act of 1910, this would officially make the transportation of females across state lines for “immoral purposes”.

It is rather odd to think that prostitution, which is considered to be the world’s oldest profession, would be illegal and harmful in nature. The issue of legalizing prostitution has entered public conversation around the world, which is severely divided. Many, like myself, consider prostitution to be a victimless crime. Despite such opposition to legalizing prostitution, many argue that legalizing it would result in decreased morality issues, increase the economic activity in the United States, and help decrease the number of sexually transmitted diseases among both prostitutes and those who patronize them,

Feminists are concerned whether or not a prostitute controls her own sexual identity. Others believe prostitution is degrading, and sexual slavery towards woman while someone like Martha Nussbaum, believe its not threatening a woman anymore more than any other paid job. Where do you stand when it comes to prostitution? Personally I’m concerned with the moral factors and the harm it brings to women both physically and mentally. Throughout this paper I will examine the issues and questions which arise from Nussbaum’s paper, “Whether From Reason or Prejudice: Taking Money for Bodily Service” in order to help come to a conclusion on whether or not prostitution is something society should control through the use of the criminal law.

Prostitution has been a social issue in Canada since before Confederation and until present day. The act of exchanging sexual services for money between two consenting adults has never been illegal in Canada, but the activities that surround prostitution, particularly owning or being in a bawdy house, living off the avails of prostitution, and communicating in public places for the purposes of prostitution, have all been made illegal under sections in the Criminal Code (Prostitution, n.d.). Throughout history, there has been great debate about the social harms caused by prostitution versus the individual rights of prostitutes. Prior to the creation and implementation of

It is important to note that the intellectuals of the time period were operating under their own assumptions about the life of a prostitute. Their ideas of prostitution was that it spread disease, was a trap for young innocent girls and increased crime and at times sex work did live up to these expectations. Young girls were sometimes “procured” and tricked into becoming prostitutes but that was not the most common way prostitution operated in the London

In the essay Lacy initiates her own examination focusing on the relationship between art and prostitution. Indeed, she began to research, she created an art piece titled “Prostitution Notes” which contains ten handwritten notes and thoughts that interpret her thought process of trying to unravel information about sex work along with its popularity through prostitution. Besides, the difficulties of reaching some women she would interview prostitutes; she was dedicated to investigating gender exploitation and how inequalities have restraints on women's movements. Furthermore, she focused on how women are being socially and economically positioned because of how can shape identities. Lacy would also use these prostitutes that she interviewed

Prostitution, sometimes referred to as “the world’s oldest profession” (Henslin, pg. 54), is defined by James M. Henslin as “the renting of one’s body for sexual purposes” (pg. 54). This arrangement, though illegal and socially deviant in most parts of the world, exists universally in many different forms (pg. 54). As a matter of fact, types of prostitutes range greatly in variety from call girls – who are said to be “the elite of prostitutes” (pg. 58), to streetwalkers – “who have the lowest status among prostitutes” (pg. 58), to sugar babies -young, physically attractive women who provide “rich, older men” (Kitchener, par.4) “…with attention (and sex) in exchange for the finer things in life” (par. 4).

“The demand is the result of a simple biological appetite. When all other sources of gratification fail, due to defects of person or circumstance, prostitution can be relied upon to furnish relief” (Davis, 753). Prostitution in a latent sense saves marriages and allows men to fulfill their sexual desires. “Prostitution embraces an economic relation, and is naturally connected with the entire system of economic forces” (Davis, 749). One societal function that prostitution fills is a release for those who desire the prostitute (latent) and a source of income for the prostitute (manifest).

Across the 19th century the image of the prostitute and how she is portrayed in different novels has evolved. While early depictions of a prostitute describe a woman who plagues society, later portrayals offer a much more human and sympathetic view. Across many works of the 19th century, there are several images of the prostitute that change overtime to reflect society’s view of these women. Between the character, Nana from Emile Zola’s novel and Lulu from the silent film Pandora’s Box, there is visible evolution of the 19th century prostitute and her relationship to society.

Although, the authors point out that most women do not complain about the extensive amount of surveillance it would seem that they are being treated more so like prisoners. I think the authors should have highlighted this comparison because most of these women seemed to be confined to the house. The owners go as so far as to send other workers on errands if the prostitutes need anything. It is in this practice that I get upset because there is no way of drawing a line or regulating this because most of these women are in desperate economic situations. That is why they try not to complain. The fear of not being able to provide almost blinds them to simple rights that should be given. However, this being said I recognize that this problem is not found everywhere and some brothels understand that the restriction takes a toll on the ladies and will allow them to leave when they are not on shift. Finally, when reflecting on this reading I agree with the authors when they ask a final question about whether or not legalized prostitution is really protecting women from the dangers mentioned. Personally, I think that this business is always going to have blurred lines because it is a “newer” industry that we are trying to restrict. I also think that we should require employers to have an on site psychologist to make sure that not only are the women physically

We must define what prostitution is to understand the concept behind it. Prostitution is a command debate in American, it is defined as exchanging sexual favors for money or materials (Outshoorn 2004). In history prostitution involved men exchanging money for sexual favors from women, however in recent history homosexual men are also exchanging sexual favors for money, drugs, or even a place to stay. Prostitution is also known as high-end nonproductive sex, where there is nothing exchanged but sex (Edlund, Korn 2002). Prostitution takes place in brothels, allies, hotels, homes, cars etc… Prostitution is a multibillion-dollar business that the U.S has continued to banned, if workers are caught they will be jailed and prosecuted indefinitely. However, the industry is continuing to boom, provides jobs for low skilled, labor intensive, and is well paid (Edlund, Korn ,2002). However, in order to understand why prostitution is illegal in 51 states in the United States, we be review a brief history of prostitution.

Between the industrialization of the 1800s and the post-World War II Women’s Rights Movement, women with few occupational options often made the difficult choice and became prostitutes. For the most part, women voluntarily joined this profession, since they saw prostitution as a temporary solution to an economic problem. When it was apparent to the War Department and the Surgeon General self- restraint and the possibility of venereal disease did not hinder the sex trade Congress passed “The May Act”. This sanctioned the closing of brothels and houses of prostitution near military bases. Men were willing to take the chance when women were available and could provide a service they wanted. Prostitution can be driven away underground, but it is still going to be around.