Prompt Cast
Exploring the Complexities of Sex Work in 18th Century London
TLDR Historian Halle Rubinhold discusses the intricacies of sex work in 18th century London, highlighting the various classes of sex workers, the geographical shifts in the industry, and the reasons why some women chose this profession while others were forced into it. She also explores the changing attitudes towards sex and women's roles in society during this time period.
Timestamped Summary
00:00
The historian and author Halle Rubinhold discusses her novel "Mistress of My Fate" and the importance of portraying women's experiences in the world of sex in the 18th and 19th centuries.
05:02
The historian and author Halle Rubinhold discusses the importance of studying personal diaries, memoirs, and letters to understand the deeply personal experiences and beliefs of individuals in the past, particularly in relation to sex.
09:16
Sex work in 18th century London was a complex and integrated part of society, with varying classes of sex workers and a geographical shift from Covent Garden to areas like Fitzrovia, and it was a profession that some women chose voluntarily while others were driven to it by circumstances or poverty.
14:00
In 18th century London, women who couldn't afford dowries for their daughters often turned them into concubines or sex workers, and some families even made money through the sex trade, with girls being raised in brothels to become sex workers; pregnancy was a common occupational hazard for sex workers, and abortion was a prevalent practice, with remedies readily available and even advertised in newspapers.
18:43
The understanding of sex and the relationship between men and women underwent a radical change in the 18th and 19th centuries, with a shift from men viewing women as more licentious to women being seen as morally superior and asexual, while the sexual behavior of the working classes remained largely unchanged.
23:49
Sexual attitudes and behaviors have always existed throughout history, with class playing a significant role in how women were perceived and treated, particularly with regards to their sexual value and purity.
28:33
Attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviors have changed throughout history, with moral panics and societal views on homosexuality and adultery being prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, while today's society has seen a shift towards greater acceptance and freedom in sexual expression.
32:48
Attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviors have changed throughout history, with moral panics and societal views on homosexuality and adultery being prominent in the 18th and 19th centuries, while today's society has seen a shift towards greater acceptance and freedom in sexual expression.
37:16
Attitudes towards sex and sexual behaviors have changed throughout history, with women being expected to know less about sex than men, and the acceptance of mistresses by public figures gradually declining over time.
41:55
Big name courtesans in the 18th and 19th centuries gained respectability and celebrity status through their allure, connections, and outrageous behavior, and they were often seen as status symbols for wealthy men, while many women in the sex trade had agency and could choose their keepers, some ended up dying in poverty.
Categories:
History
