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Questions and Answers
What characterized the interaction between strangers at Coney Island's amusement parks?
What characterized the interaction between strangers at Coney Island's amusement parks?
What was a common activity during intermissions at movies and cheap theaters?
What was a common activity during intermissions at movies and cheap theaters?
Which type of dances were included in working women's repertoire?
Which type of dances were included in working women's repertoire?
What did the 'pluggers' often include that offended reformers?
What did the 'pluggers' often include that offended reformers?
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How were tough dances described by dance investigators?
How were tough dances described by dance investigators?
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What distinguished middle-class pleasure-goers' acceptance of animal dances?
What distinguished middle-class pleasure-goers' acceptance of animal dances?
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What did managers of working-class dance halls typically do regarding unrestrained behavior?
What did managers of working-class dance halls typically do regarding unrestrained behavior?
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Which dance included a movement resembling a boisterous animal imitation?
Which dance included a movement resembling a boisterous animal imitation?
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What difficulties do recent scholars face when uncovering the history of working-class sexuality?
What difficulties do recent scholars face when uncovering the history of working-class sexuality?
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How did reformers and social workers view working-class women's sexuality?
How did reformers and social workers view working-class women's sexuality?
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Which category was primarily used to measure the respectability of young women?
Which category was primarily used to measure the respectability of young women?
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What cultural indicators were used to assess working-class women's respectability?
What cultural indicators were used to assess working-class women's respectability?
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Which group hoped to scientifically resolve the question of working women's respectability?
Which group hoped to scientifically resolve the question of working women's respectability?
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What were 'Charity Girls' associated with according to the historical context?
What were 'Charity Girls' associated with according to the historical context?
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What did some middle-class observers in missions and settlements realize about their standards?
What did some middle-class observers in missions and settlements realize about their standards?
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What notion was challenged by the biological fact of premarital virginity?
What notion was challenged by the biological fact of premarital virginity?
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What was one reason women used clothing to draw attention to themselves?
What was one reason women used clothing to draw attention to themselves?
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What was the purpose of 'treating' in the heterosocial interactions described?
What was the purpose of 'treating' in the heterosocial interactions described?
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How did women typically provide a reciprocal exchange for men's 'treats'?
How did women typically provide a reciprocal exchange for men's 'treats'?
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Why were 'treats' highly valued by young working women?
Why were 'treats' highly valued by young working women?
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In what way did women without attractiveness or willingness to compromise face difficulty?
In what way did women without attractiveness or willingness to compromise face difficulty?
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What did Lillian Betts suggest about working women and invitations from men?
What did Lillian Betts suggest about working women and invitations from men?
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What misconception might the waiter mentioned have about women based on their attire?
What misconception might the waiter mentioned have about women based on their attire?
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What does the investigator imply about women who are modest or unattractive?
What does the investigator imply about women who are modest or unattractive?
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What does the conversation about 'gentlemen friends' suggest about women's socialization in the shop?
What does the conversation about 'gentlemen friends' suggest about women's socialization in the shop?
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How did the expression of romance among workplace women typically manifest?
How did the expression of romance among workplace women typically manifest?
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What did investigators find about the freedom of speech among department store clerks?
What did investigators find about the freedom of speech among department store clerks?
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What was the typical employment status of single working-class women before marriage?
What was the typical employment status of single working-class women before marriage?
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Why did many working-class women accept 'free treats' from men?
Why did many working-class women accept 'free treats' from men?
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What was a key characteristic of the labor market's sexual segmentation?
What was a key characteristic of the labor market's sexual segmentation?
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What was a primary factor influencing freer social and sexual practices among working women?
What was a primary factor influencing freer social and sexual practices among working women?
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What was an economic challenge faced by self-supporting women living alone?
What was an economic challenge faced by self-supporting women living alone?
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What challenge did tenement living present to parents?
What challenge did tenement living present to parents?
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How did the societal messages received by women about sexuality and morality appear to them?
How did the societal messages received by women about sexuality and morality appear to them?
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Where did working-class daughters often socialize due to the lack of suitable space at home?
Where did working-class daughters often socialize due to the lack of suitable space at home?
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What was the typical weekly spending money that working women living with families received?
What was the typical weekly spending money that working women living with families received?
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Why might some women have chosen a relaxed sexual style?
Why might some women have chosen a relaxed sexual style?
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How did some young women manage to meet men despite parental restrictions?
How did some young women manage to meet men despite parental restrictions?
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How did boarding house conditions affect single working women?
How did boarding house conditions affect single working women?
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What did working-class daughters demand in exchange for their financial contributions to their families?
What did working-class daughters demand in exchange for their financial contributions to their families?
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What distinguishes 'charity girls' from prostitutes according to the passage?
What distinguishes 'charity girls' from prostitutes according to the passage?
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What behavior was expected from 'charity girls' in dance halls?
What behavior was expected from 'charity girls' in dance halls?
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What was a common perception about 'charity girls' according to vice investigators?
What was a common perception about 'charity girls' according to vice investigators?
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What was the vice reformer George Kneeland's observation about charity girls?
What was the vice reformer George Kneeland's observation about charity girls?
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How did some women like Dottie 'earn' necessities according to the passage?
How did some women like Dottie 'earn' necessities according to the passage?
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How did charity girls' actions differ from those of 'occasional prostitutes'?
How did charity girls' actions differ from those of 'occasional prostitutes'?
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What evidence is mentioned about the prevalence of charity girls in dance halls?
What evidence is mentioned about the prevalence of charity girls in dance halls?
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How did some investigators describe the viewing of charity girls at La Kuenstler Klause?
How did some investigators describe the viewing of charity girls at La Kuenstler Klause?
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Study Notes
Working-Class Sexuality, 1880-1920
- Uncovering the history of working-class sexuality is difficult. Diaries, letters, and memoirs offer limited insight compared to bourgeois accounts.
- Middle-class commentary and observations of working people often present moralistic and biased perspectives.
- Source analysis is complicated by the categories used, often employing middle-class interpretations of "respectability" and "promiscuity."
- Chastity was a key measure of respectability for young women, while public actions, dress, and language were critical indicators.
- Late 19th-century labor investigations not only considered working conditions but also judged women's sexual virtue.
- Some middle-class observers recognized that their standards did not reflect working-class realities.
- Working-class women's public behavior often fell between traditional middle-class norms.
Working-Class Amusements and Sexuality
- Working-class young women in New York City (1880-1920) frequented amusements like dance halls, movies, and public parks.
- These spaces often facilitated intermingling and casual sexual interaction between men and women.
- Dance styles, such as "pivoting" and "tough dances," were part of a more casual, sexually charged environment.
- Amusements were often characterized by casual language, slang, and sexual innuendo within the culture..
- "Treating" was a common practice, where men would give gifts, drinks, or entertainment to women.
- This exchange was a crucial part of their social interactions & potentially involved sexual exchange.
- Sexual interaction within the workplace also reflected these patterns of behavior with some male employers encouraging sexual relationships.
- Sexuality and gender were embedded in working-class culture and influenced by their social and economic circumstances.
Charity Girls
- The concept of "charity girls" emerged as a category of working-class women.
- Charity girls were viewed as respectable yet engaged in sexual exchange.
- They often engaged in sexual interactions in exchange for treats.
- Their behavior was a response to economic constraints and their social position.
Treating and Respectability
- Treating and sexual exchange were entwined within the context of working-class leisure activities.
- This custom was a component of broader social relationships & didn't necessarily imply prostitution.
- Different notions of respectability existed among working-class women, challenging middle-class standards.
- The practice of treating was not unidirectional and sometimes women were the ones who initiated or compensated men for entertainment or social interactions.
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Description
Explore the complexities of working-class sexuality between 1880 and 1920 through diaries, letters, and memoirs. This quiz delves into the contrasting views of middle-class morality and respectability as they relate to working-class women's experiences and behaviors. Uncover how societal norms shaped perceptions of sexual virtue during this transformative period.
