Working-Class Sexuality 1880-1920

Studying working-class sexuality is challenging because traditional sources like diaries, letters, and memoirs offer limited insights into their intimate lives.

Middle-class commentary and observations of working-class people provide a source of information, but these often carry moralistic biases and skewed perspectives.

The categories used by reformers and social workers to understand working-class sexuality are heavily influenced by middle-class standards, creating a divide between 'respectable' and 'promiscuous' behavior.

The concept of 'respectability' for unmarried women in the late 19th century was primarily defined by premarital virginity and reinforced through outward signs like manners, dress, and social interaction.

Those who deviated from these standards, whether through sexual activity or appearance, were labeled as 'promiscuous' or 'prostitutes,' highlighting the impact of social norms on individual behavior.

Labor investigations of the late 19th century not only examined women's wages and working conditions but also delved into their sexual virtue, seeking to scientifically determine their respectability.

Even some middle-class observers, like those in city missions and settlements, recognized that their standards didn't always align with the realities of working-class youth.

Social interactions in workplaces, like laundries and department stores, influenced women's relationships.

The use of informal, slang language in conversations about intimate relationships, often with a sexual undertone.

The study of social structures and how they determine the values and beliefs within a culture.

The gap in wages between men and women, highlighting the economic inequality of the time.

A standard income considered sufficient to meet basic living expenses.

The practice of restricting women's employment to specific jobs based on societal expectations and gender roles.

The conflicting messages women received about sexual behavior, balancing traditional values with the realities of urban life.

The act of consciously choosing a particular course of action or lifestyle.

A social practice where men provided women with gifts, drinks, and entertainment in exchange for companionship or sexual favors.

The fashion and appearance of women in the early 20th century, often seen as a move away from traditional notions of respectability and femininity.

The belief that a woman's attractiveness and personality are crucial for securing men's attention and 'treats'.

The idea that women were expected to actively engage in attracting men's attention, which often involved suggestive behavior and hinting at sexual interest.

The perception that women who were not attractive or did not conform to the societal expectations of feminine behavior were less likely to receive 'treats' and enjoy leisure activities.

A relationship where one party provides something (treats) in exchange for something else (companionship or sexual favors).

The concept that women's actions and choices, including seeking 'treats', were often blamed on their own shortcomings or lack of attractiveness.

The way in which societal expectations and gender roles influenced the social interactions and sexual behaviors of women in the workplace and their leisure time.

The acceptance of free treats, especially from men, by working-class women in the early 20th century.

The limited financial resources available to most working-class women, often contributing their earnings to the family and receiving only a small amount of spending money.

The crowding and limited privacy in tenement homes and boarding houses, making it difficult for working-class women to maintain control over their social and sexual interactions.

The practice of courting on street corners, in cafes, or on trolley cars, as an alternative to traditional courtship in the home due to limited privacy in tenement homes.

The demand for greater independence in personal life (including relationships and dating) by working-class women in exchange for their financial contributions to the family.

The shift in social norms that allowed for more freedom in female sexuality, potentially due to economic pressures and limited control over social spaces.

The challenges faced by parents in maintaining control over their daughters' sexuality due to the cramped living conditions in tenements and the lack of privacy.

The tension between working-class daughters' desire for freedom and social acceptance, leading to a sense of rebellion and potential for change.

A style of dancing common amongst working-class women in early 20th century New York, characterized by close physical contact, suggestive movements, and uninhibited expressions of sexuality.

A type of entertainment in early 20th century New York where working-class women interacted freely, engaging in casual conversations, practical jokes, and close dancing. This social environment was marked by familiarity and disregard for traditional decorum.

A specific dance style popular among working-class women in New York in the early 20th century, involving a wild, spinning motion that generated a charged atmosphere of excitement.

Printed cards distributed to promote dances in early 20th century New York, often featuring suggestive lyrics and imagery that sparked criticism from social reformers.

A type of dance involving suggestive movements of the hips and shoulders, considered one of the tougher dances in early 20th century New York.

While middle-class audiences ultimately accepted the animal dances, they only did so after the blatant sexuality was toned down into refined, more acceptable movements.

The ease with which working-class women expressed their sexuality through language and behavior, especially in social settings like dances and amusement parks.

A practice where managers of working-class dance halls allowed suggestive dancing and uninhibited behavior to occur, despite official rules against it.

Women who engaged in sexual encounters with men in exchange for gifts, entertainment, or pleasure, but not for money; distinguished from prostitutes.

A term used to describe women who engaged in casual sexual encounters, often for material benefits, but not exclusively categorized as prostitutes.

The social perception of women who engaged in casual sex, often for personal benefits, was not as severe as that of prostitutes. They were not considered 'fallen women.'

Dance halls in the city were frequented by women who engaged in casual encounters, seeking pleasure and entertainment. This included women who were not prostitutes, but were open to casual encounters.

The act of extracting favors, gifts, or treats from men in exchange for sexual encounters was a common characteristic of 'charity girls.'

The social norms and expectations around sexuality in the working-class context allowed for a range of behaviors, from strict adherence to traditional morality to more relaxed and casual encounters.

The available information about the extent of casual sex within the working-class population is limited, making it difficult to draw definitive conclusions.

The lack of definitive information about the specific beliefs, behavior, and motivations of working women regarding sexuality makes it challenging to understand their sexual culture.