A short and interesting quote...
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Posted by Lesley on December 18, 1997 at 00:26:29:
"Throughout history there have been only two kinds of society as far a sex is concerned. Either there is prostitution or permissiveness. No third pattern has ever yet shown, apart from temporary expedients ( a group struggling for survival, for example). The permissive society speaks its mind, brings out facts into the open, and discards its corsets. The prostitutional society hides its true feelings, conceals the facts, and clings to tight lacings. (It is perhaps of added interest that tight lacing goes with an expanding economy and nonlacing with a static or variable economy or a slump.) But in a society where prostitution thrives, its reflex thrives also: the carefully preserved virgin bride. And therefore girls were told nothing or near as nothing as possible."
This quote comes from "The Edwardian Lady" by Kate Caffrey. Before anyone jumps on me bc this is a regency board, I just want to say that this passage leaped out at me after our Opera Girls graphic from a couple of months ago! Also, I though it was relevant bc of the changing dress from JA's youth to her adulthood. It went from tightly corseted to women damping down their muslin gowns! So, what do y'all think?
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