The History Of Prostitution – Limited & Popular

Prostitution was a legal, taxed, and regulated business. While sex workers (often slaves or freedwomen) occupied a low social status ( infamia ), the practice was considered a necessary "vent" to protect the sanctity of marriage. The Middle Ages: Tolerance and Regulation

Prostitution was increasingly viewed through the lens of social hygiene and urban poverty rather than just religious sin. The 20th Century to Present: Criminalization and Rights The History of Prostitution

By the late 15th century, the Reformation’s focus on morality and the devastating outbreak of syphilis led to the closure of most public stews (brothels) across Europe. The 18th and 19th Centuries: The Era of Control The Victorian era saw a move toward "moral reform." Prostitution was a legal, taxed, and regulated business

Many medieval cities established licensed brothels to control public order and generate tax revenue. The 20th Century to Present: Criminalization and Rights

Laws like the UK’s Contagious Diseases Acts (1860s) allowed for the forced medical examination of women suspected of prostitution to prevent STIs among soldiers. This sparked early feminist movements that fought against the "double standard" where women were punished while male clients were ignored.

The rise of the internet has shifted much of the industry from the streets to online platforms, changing how sex work is organized and policed. Conclusion

The modern era is defined by the tension between abolition and harm reduction.