During the Victorian
Era, which was upon the 1800s, there were many different beliefs about
sexuality then there are in today’s time.
In today’s time, it is common that women are seen to have sexuality and
to want to be sexually active. Back
then, it was thought that women didn’t know about sex and shouldn’t have desire
for it. “These strict views on gender
and sex became what we now think as the Victorian sterotype.” [1]
One thing I came across in my research was that sexual desire was only seen in
men and women in classes that were low for example prostitutes. This was also proven by doctors during this
time. They even took it as far as
removing sex organs doing so that “sexual desire” was removed from the body thinking
that the sexual desire was a disease of some sort.
According to the book Sex Tips for Husbands and Wives from 1894 Ruth
Smyther writes “guidelines about how newlywed women should “endure” sex.” 1 It
was said that a bride was limited to only two “sexual experiences” weekly. They also were advised to reduce these
happenings as frequently as possible. As
you can see, compared to today’s time, they were very cautious and definitely
had many more rules of how sexuality was treated back then. Like in today’s time, nudity is shown
everywhere and especially with your significant other. Back then, wise women tried as much as
possible not to show her body unclothed to her husband. The book that I referenced before mentions
other “rules” like wearing thick pajamas to bed to minimize the exposer of
flesh. Also, times when the husband would
try and kiss her or even kiss her on part of her body she would avoid this at
all possible. Today, women are even the
ones who seduce the men. It is totally
opposite today and women are very sexual and aren’t afraid to show that side
but also because it is aloud today. I
think that the rules back then were too strict but I also may be biased based
on the century I live in today. I think
all sexual matters should be equal between man and women and either sex can
have the sexual desire
[1] "The
Victorian Era." History of Human Sexuality in Western Culture. N.p., n.d.
Web. 31 Jan. 2014.
<http://historyofsexuality.umwblogs.org/pre-20th-century/victorian-era-2/>.
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