Prostitution In The 19th Century

Prostitution was tolerated for much of America’s history because it was a way to control the lower class and keep them away from the wealthy while providing jobs for women. Prostitution was so prevalent because of the economic and social factors of the time period. Prostitution was widely accepted by much of society and allowed women to work for themselves but it also had its negatives. When New York turned into a hub for entertainment and tourists, and became commercialized, people started to detest New York’s image.
An investigation, the Immigration Commission started in 1907, had begun to investigate the world of prostitutes with the aim of finding out more about the trafficking of women for sexual purposes (White Slavery trial, 6). Jeremiah
As long as sex workers stayed out of the streets and conducted their business behind closed doors, it was fine to do as they pleased. Prostitutes were not allowed to work wherever they wanted. There were some limits. They were usually contained in an area that was accessible to patrons. This also made it easier for the police to control. Immigrant women were often allured by the occupation because the demand was so high (Privy, 21). The Five Point District was documented to have had a brothel in every building (Privy, 22). In the late 19th century, as New York developed socially and economically, people started to become obsessed with stopping the sex
Their jobs alone were inadequate to support their needs. Prostitution was a way for women to earn money during hard economic times. It was one of the easiest, most available job paths for them. Privies personify ideas about privacy, socioeconomic status, and divisions between households (Privy, 20). An infamous privy discovered in the nineteenth century linked infanticide to women’s victimization in the fast growing urban economy (Privy, 20). Privies were often linked to crowded, tenement buildings and prostitutes used them to dispose of the remains of their babies. Starting in the late 1850’s, male physicians of the American Medical Association had started a movement to criminalize abortions and contraception (Privy, 23). The petition was meant to hinder women’s roles. It targeted the women who had abandoned the “stay at home” stereotype and joined the workforce. It was also intended to limit a woman’s choice to have premarital sex. Unwed women who feared society’s backlash often had abortions. The increase of tenement housing due to waves of immigrants coming to the city for economic opportunities was responsible for growing numbers of infant mortality rates (Privy, 26). Infanticide rates also increased because of costly prices of milk and mothers who had no financial support (Privy,