Sex and Society

This book is a historical study of the social attitude towards sexual institution (prostitution) which has always mixed and inconsistent at different places at different times, or even at the same time and place. When we look at it narrowly, the problem of prostitution seems to be in the same position even today as it was in the ancient period of human civilization. However, in order to comprehend the real significance of prostitution, and to attain a reasonable attitude towards it, we must look at this oldest profession from a broader point of view. We must consider not only its evolution and history, but also its causes and its relation to the wider aspects of social life. When we view the problem from a broader standpoint, we shall find that there is no conflict between the claims of ethics and those of social hygiene, but the co-ordinated activity of both is involved in the progressive refinement and purification of civilized sexual relationships.