Prostitution through the Ages

Paper Summary:

The writer looks at three books that study prostitution in order to give a solid background knowledge of the history of prostitution. The paper then consolidates the information to discover the underlying reasons for prostitution and how it fits in with the societal fabric of which it is a part.

From the Paper:

"With the rise of Christianity came a harsher view of sexuality, which reflected in the way prostitutes were viewed. Many church leaders saw it as a necessary evil to protect and preserve marriage, and they sought to reform not condemn these women. Much of this had to do with the Bible character of Mary Magdalene. She was most likely a "streetwalker" before she met Jesus, and was reformed through her love of God. It is also important to note that she was the most significant woman in Christian tradition, aside from the Virgin Mary. This says something of the dichotomy that had already become entrenched in the treatment of women, the virgin (good woman) and the whore (bad woman), a theme that you can find across cultures and time. The ideal women were seen as sexless virgins by the Church fathers, wives and mothers barely tolerated, and prostitutes pitied and loathed (p.72)."

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