This investigation into the sexual experiences before marriage of young lovers in Britain during the first half of this century is based on many frank interviews with old people, with extracts from their life stories. The author reveals that when couples did make love, it was in defiance of strong taboos and conventions which forbade "fornication" and "promiscuity". Parents issued dire warnings to their daughters and threatened them with the workhouse if they brought home trouble. Books offering sexual advice tried to ...
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This investigation into the sexual experiences before marriage of young lovers in Britain during the first half of this century is based on many frank interviews with old people, with extracts from their life stories. The author reveals that when couples did make love, it was in defiance of strong taboos and conventions which forbade "fornication" and "promiscuity". Parents issued dire warnings to their daughters and threatened them with the workhouse if they brought home trouble. Books offering sexual advice tried to persuade the young that masturbation was bad for their health and that persistent "self abuse" could lead to insanity. Sex education was banned in most schools. Many chemists and clinics refused to provide contraception for the young. Early women's police patrols arrested young people who became too amorous in public places. The author says that only those at the top and bottom of the social scale, like fashionable young aristocrats or rebellious street gangs, managed regularly to escape from this kind of control. Perhaps the greatest tragedy was the fate of the "unmarried mother". Beckoned by the workhouse, not the welfare state as today, some even served life sentences in mental hospitals for their "sins". The author rescues the stories of victims like these from obscurity and shows how there was a high price to pay for sexual respectability in the past - and part of the sacrifice was these women's lives.
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. Though second-hand, the book is still in very good shape. Minimal signs of usage may include very minor creasing on the cover or on the spine.
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Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages. Damaged cover. The cover of is slightly damaged for instance a torn or bent corner.
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Very good. **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
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Good. Ex-Library Copy **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books.
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Seller's Description:
Dispatched, from the UK, within 48 hours of ordering. This book is in good condition but will show signs of previous ownership. Please expect some creasing to the spine and/or minor damage to the cover. Ripped/damaged jacket. The dust jacket of this book is slightly damaged/ripped, however, this does not affect the internal condition. Grubby book may have mild dirt or some staining, mostly on the edges of pages.
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Seller's Description:
Good. 0283997508. 224 pages. Black and white illustrations. "A fascinating book..." Anthony Clare, Sunday Times. "...Tells the extraordinary story of sex before marriage in Britain during the first half of our century. Based on many surprisingly frank interviews with old people, and studded throughout with moving extracts from their life stories, it is the first major investigation into the sexual experiences of young lovers of the past."-from back cover. 'A necessary book...exploring the underworld of furtive sex and social double standards."-Evening Standard. Unmarked. Moderate wear. Binding intact. Sound copy.; 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall; A Secret World of Sex-Forbidden Fruit: The British Experience 1900-1950.
