The underlying image of the Victorian prostitute has been one of great debacles. Laid out in the understanding of some, the idea of a prostitute was one consisting of 3 elements. To be deemed a “harlot” was something of irreversible consequences.
“1. That once a harlot, always a harlot.
2. That there is no possible advance, moral or physical, in the condition of the actual prostitute.
3. That the harlot’s progress is short and rapid.” (Action)
The ideals of a harlot laid out in the early workings of the piece, written by Action, bring forth the heavy religious mindset that was of great prevalence during the era. This underlying undertone brought forth and imposed on women of the Victorian era was one of misunderstanding. The common prostitute during the Victorian era was one of the working class. The lack of jobs and inability to advance one’s self was of heavy credence. To be born in the working class meant a hard upbringing. The advancement of social class was one of rare hopes and dreams. The working class was a hard compilation of workers in mills and factories in which earned a day-to-day living from the sweat of their brow. Therefore, when providing for members of the family became tough young women would find themselves turning to the occupation of prostitution. For example some have argued that, “prostitution will be treated as an occupation- one that involved casual sexual encounters with men for ‘cash payments’”(Walkowitz).
(google.com/image)
Women who could not find a means of support from their families as well as acquire more assets sought out prostitution. Unfortunately, prostitution was found acceptable by the government and was allowed on certain streets as long as the women would not become a public nuisance (Walkowitz). The working class prostitute typically would sell themselves to those of the same class. As a result, business was more prevalent in areas of expansion. Growing places like London would find a heavier presence of prostitutes due to the greater presence of the working class. The working class prostitute was an occupation as a means to find the necessities they could not acquire due to their class. Finding a stable form of income by a means of selling their bodies was a common occurrence. Prostitution was considerably a very significant scapegoat for many women within the working class. By selling their bodies women were able to obtain material goods such as fine clothing and jewelry in which could help them advance social classes. In the end prostitution, a job of little glamor, was a resource for many women who needed a helping hand in order to acquire money and power. With prostitution came a chance for growth and prosperity amongst women.
Works Cited
Walkowitz, Judith. Prostitution and Victorian society : women, class, and the state. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1980. eBook. Accessed Sept 23, 2012
Google.com/image Accessed Sept 23, 2012
By: Chessjuan Monk
