The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the World

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

41873

Title

The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects throughout the World

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Dr. William W. Sanger presents a comprehensive historical and sociological investigation into prostitution, tracing its evolution from ancient civilizations to mid-19th-century Europe and America. Dedicated to New York's Alms-House Governors, this official report combines medical expertise with moral advocacy, aiming to expose causes, effects, and potential reforms for this pervasive social vice.

Summary up to 500 words

In *The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects Throughout the World*, Dr. William W. Sanger presents a comprehensive medical and historical survey dedicated to the Governors of the Alms-House of New York. As a resident physician at Blackwell's Island, Sanger combines clinical observation with historical analysis to address a subject society often forbids utterance upon. He traces the phenomenon from biblical times and ancient civilizations—including Egypt, Greece, and Rome—through the Middle Ages and into the modern era of Europe. Sanger details the legal frameworks, social conditions, and economic realities surrounding the trade, highlighting the stark contrast between the aristocratic status of Greek *hetairai* and the pariah status of prostitutes in other cultures. He incorporates data from police reports and censuses to quantify the scale of the issue, discussing the prevalence of venereal diseases like syphilis and the impact on illegitimacy and public health. The narrative critiques the hypocrisy of public scorn, which Sanger argues often masks societal weakness rather than solving the problem. The work features extensive excerpts from contemporary literature, such as Charlotte Brontë's *A Woman's Thoughts upon Women*, which advocates for compassion, rehabilitation, and the possibility of redemption for repentant women. Sanger challenges the reader to look beyond the 'tinseled cloak' of social stigma and recognize the humanity of those affected. He advocates for a charitable and effective approach to reform that addresses the root causes of the vice rather than merely punishing its symptoms, urging a shift from judgment to understanding and support for the rehabilitation of fallen women.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• History
• Social Issues