On the threshold of industrialisation many significant changes took place in England throughout the eighteenth century. Trade and economy grew more and more and consequently trade centres like London became metropolises to which many people moved to from rural areas due to the bigger chance to find a job there. The society in such cities was dominated by men and there was no equality of the sexes as women were considered to be inferior and dependent on men. They had to obey their fathers or husbands, who made all decisions for them and they had no own property as everything they had belonged to their husbands1. But there were women who tried to escape the subordinate role they possessed. Expected to be virtuous housewives, mothers and wives, who obey their husbands unconditionally, some women led totally different lives. Instead of marrying, bringing up children and doing the household they worked to earn their living. But whereas many women chose to work as servants or seamstresses, the business of some other young ladies was of a totally different nature – of a disorderly nature. They earned their money by offering sexual services in exchange for money. In other words they worked as prostitutes. Especially London was a city where this sexual trade was very widespread due to the constantly arriving tradesmen and sailors who were willing to pay women to satisfy their needs. But who were these women of pleasure? Why did they work as prostitutes and how did they live? To answer these questions it is necessary to look at the lives of these women in detail.
Their social backgrounds and their education can be considered as the origin of their later work as harlots. As people cannot only be characterised by what they do themselves but by the opinions of the people around them as well, it is important to consider the reactions of society towards prostitutes. And last but not least the living and working conditions of streetwalkers as well as the risks they had to face in their everyday lives are worth consideration. [...]
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Social background
2.1.Origin
2.2.Education and Apprenticeship
3. Turn to Prostitution
3.1.Causes
3.2. Opinions of Society
4. The Life of a Woman of Pleasure
4.1. Working and Living Conditions
4.2. Pregnancy and Diseases
4.3. Repentance and Punishment
5. Conclusion
Research Objectives and Themes
This academic assignment examines the lives of prostitutes in eighteenth-century London, exploring the socio-economic factors that drove women into the sex trade and the diverse reactions of contemporary society to this phenomenon.
- The socio-economic origins and educational backgrounds of prostitutes.
- Primary causes leading women to engage in prostitution, including poverty and lack of employment.
- Societal perceptions and the contradictory views held by influential thinkers like Daniel Defoe and Bernard Mandeville.
- Working and living conditions, including the risks of pregnancy, disease, and the role of social institutions.
- The degree of financial independence vs. social stigma faced by women in the trade.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.Causes
There was a huge multitude of reasons, why ordinary girls turned to prostitution, most of which are closely related with the poverty, they had to live in. As a consequence of their little education, they had no chance to obtain an occupation, except labour as servants for example, and had to find other ways to earn their living. It has been reported, that most girls of the eighteenth century entered prostitution in their late teens or early twenties.
In general there have been two confrontational opinions about, why women became prostitutes. The first one considers whores as ‘fallen women’, who were introduced to prostitution by men. Defoe argued, that
`` [m]ultitudes of Men overlooking all Considerations but Fortune, decline Marriage, or at least defer it till that Article is easy; while the Proportion of Women, who arrive at Puberty in this Time, and are not provided for by their Kindred, prompted by Nature, and urged by Wants, are forced to become the Instruments of satisfying those Desires in Men which were given for a better Use […]`` (from ‘Some Considerations upon Street-Walkers with A Proposal for Lessening the present Number of them’, 1726).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter contextualizes the socio-economic environment of eighteenth-century London and introduces the research scope regarding the lives of women in prostitution.
2. Social background: An analysis of the origins and upbringing of women who became prostitutes, highlighting the impact of class, poverty, and educational opportunities.
3. Turn to Prostitution: This section investigates the motivations behind entering the sex trade and the divided moral perspective of the era's society.
4. The Life of a Woman of Pleasure: A detailed look at the daily realities of prostitutes, covering their working environments, health risks, and the methods of social control or rehabilitation.
5. Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, reflecting on the independence gained by these women versus the severe personal and social costs they endured.
Keywords
Prostitution, Eighteenth-century London, Social background, Poverty, Fanny Hill, Moll Flanders, Streetwalkers, Sexual trade, Female independence, Chastity, Social stigma, Magdalen Hospital, Eighteenth century, Gender roles, Economic survival.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the central focus of this academic paper?
The paper explores the phenomenon of prostitution in eighteenth-century London, focusing on the social origins, motivations, and living conditions of the women involved.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
Key themes include the impact of poverty, the lack of education, social and moral reactions from the public, and the health risks associated with the trade.
What is the primary research goal?
The objective is to understand why women entered the sex trade, how they lived, and how they maintained a precarious form of independence within a male-dominated society.
Which research methodology does the author apply?
The author conducts a qualitative literary and historical analysis, utilizing both factual historical sources and relevant fictional literature from the period.
What topics are covered in the main body of the text?
The main body examines social origins, the transition into the sex trade, the living and working conditions of streetwalkers, and how they dealt with health issues and legal repercussions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Primary keywords include Prostitution, Eighteenth-century London, Social status, Gender inequality, and Economic survival.
How did societal views on prostitution differ in the 18th century?
Public opinion was divided; while some viewed prostitution as a moral evil that needed to be abolished, others considered it a necessary outlet for male desire, as argued by figures like Bernard Mandeville.
What role did institutions like the Magdalen Hospital play?
These institutions offered a path for prostitutes to potentially regain their reputation through an ascetic regime of work and worship, though many women chose to remain independent.
- Quote paper
- Antje Bernstein (Author), 2005, Women of Pleasure: Prostitution in Eighteenth-Century London, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/71335
