Women In The 20th Century Essay

Sexuality between the sexes and the medical/health outcomes have changed dramatically. In the beginning of times, a women’s sexuality was only seen as a reproduction of children. Men, typically were allowed to do whatever they pleased. Women who were sexual were deemed deviant. Those who could not get jobs or status resulted to prostitution to keep them afoot. Prostitutes were frowned upon, but the men committed the acts were not. Those who committed sex outside of marriage were penalized. This also created prostitution. Because mothers and their children who were born out of wed-lock had few legal rights and protection by the 20th century, there was a surge in those turning to prostitution to survive. This proved to many that freedom and love …show more content…
Children in this situation either had to stay at home being a burden or were locked into a contract with work that stipulated they could not marry until the end of the term or wait until their craft or education was complete. The idea that men had control over women’s bodies still held true during these times, but women could start to say no to sex. This “say no” led to the purity theory/theme for women. Women were considered pure and women began to ask the same of men. Men were thought of as having strong sexual urges and impulses that needed to be controlled. Men struggled with this idea of purity for them. Many, in frustration, turned to prostitutes, others begged their wives for help in resisting temptation. Due to the struggles, many middle-class reformers adopted a less punitive and judgmental attitude towards “fallen women.” People argued that since women were seen as pure, “only the deprivation of poverty and abuse could drive them into a way of life so contrary to their deepest instincts.” (pg) During the era of love, the focus on romantic love undercut the doctrine of separate spheres. There may have been some equality, but it was still not fully