Prostitutes Sanger
William W. Sanger’s The History of Prostitution: Its Extent, Causes, and Effects Throughout the World, first published in 1858, remains a significant, albeit controversial, historical work. Catalogued widely, it’s often found priced around £27.75 for certain editions. Sanger, a New York City physician (1819-1872), compiled this study based partly on his official role. According to analysis, Sanger deliberately framed prostitution as an inherent social evil and prostitutes primarily as victims, largely overlooking women who may have chosen the profession or found agency within it. This perspective contrasts with views like those in The American Prostitute, or the Most Liberated Woman in… which presented a different angle.
Research Methodology and Findings
The book’s structure is comprehensive, covering topics like the Nationality of Prostitutes, Causes of Prostitution, Brothels, Clandestine Prostitution, Baths, Dispensaries, Syphilis, and the Punishment of Prostitutes across 180 pages. Sanger’s methodology involved interviewing approximately 2,000 prostitutes in New York City, gleaning information on demographics, motivations, and conditions. His findings suggested a typical profile: young, foreign-born, unmarried, and often having borne a child. Modern listings for the book, including hardcover editions published by entities like the Medical Pub. Co. or the Eugenics Publishing Company (1937), appear frequently.
Historical Context and Modern Critique
However, modern scholars critique his approach; his research, while extensive for its time, is seen as failing to accurately reflect the complex realities and potential agency of nineteenth-century prostitutes. He is also noted for criticizing men who condemned prostitutes while themselves contributing to the demand, viewing this as hypocritical. The book delves into historical contexts, including ancient practices among Jews, Greeks (like Solonian Legislation, Pisistratiase, Lycurgus and Sparta, Laws on Prostitution, the case of Phryne, Classes of Prostitutes like the Pornikon Telos), and Romans.
Legacy and Contemporary Relevance
Later chapters detail prostitution in specific cities like New York, discussing Prostitutes and Houses of Prostitution. While pioneering in its scope, Sanger’s work is recognized today as a product of its era, reflecting contemporary biases and moral frameworks. It continues to be cited and studied, available in formats including paperback, hardcover, and ebook (e.g., epub for £27.95), serving as a crucial, if flawed, primary source for understanding historical perspectives on sex work. Prices vary significantly, from £46.59 for some editions to digital versions like ebooks priced around US$1.99.
*TAGS* – Solonian Legislation, Clandestine Prostitution, Pornikon Telos
