When people study history they rarely learn about the sexual history of the United States; and, how it evolved from courting and brothels to dating and prostitution. Love for Sale takes place in New York City, NY, from 1900 to 1945, it journeys through the major events that occurred in the U.S., World War I, Great Depression, and World War II. The author, Elizabeth Alice Clement, is an assistant professor of history at the University of Utah. The central argument of Love for Sale is, “Profoundly shaped by women’s economic inequality and insecurities, all three practices-courtship, treating, and prostitution-reflected the negotiations in which women and men engaged over the economic and social value of sex.” Clement’s purpose is to help the readers understand the transformations courting, treating, and prostitution had in 1900-1945 in New York City. Courting changed radically throughout the early 1900s specifically within the working class and immigrants. Premarital sex was somewhat accepted by the working class if the courting couple were engaged. The loss of reputation and dishonoring the family, were major offences
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The first three chapters are courtship, treating, and prostitution before World War I, then same topics but during the war, then after the war, during the depression and prohibition, lastly during World War II. Clement uses various sources throughout this book to support her claims. She uses archives, manuscripts, reports, books, journals, and newspapers throughout to solidify her knowledge of women’s, sex, labor, and economic history. The strengths are that she shares a lot of information, discusses every aspect of this sexual revolution, and uses various sources to support her claims. Its weaknesses are that it does not discuss WWII sexuality as the other events and her organization is chaotic, jumping from one topic to another in
The first three chapters are courtship, treating, and prostitution before World War I, then same topics but during the war, then after the war, during the depression and prohibition, lastly during World War II. Clement uses various sources throughout this book to support her claims. She uses archives, manuscripts, reports, books, journals, and newspapers throughout to solidify her knowledge of women’s, sex, labor, and economic history. The strengths are that she shares a lot of information, discusses every aspect of this sexual revolution, and uses various sources to support her claims. Its weaknesses are that it does not discuss WWII sexuality as the other events and her organization is chaotic, jumping from one topic to another in