Conclusion
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Brian Pullan
Abstract
The conclusion makes comparisons between the medieval and early modern notion of the lesser evil and the more recent concept of harm reduction, and asks how far recent debates on prostitution, child abandonment and the adoption of illegitimate children are still being conducted in broadly similar terms. It argues that, while between 1300 and 1800 charity towards the victims of sexual misconduct and the sex industry grew broader and more imaginative, there were pitfalls in almost every move made and no continuous progress. Institutions often departed from their original aims or failed, through lack of resources, to achieve them. But it is possible to draw attention to significant turning points, and some of those identified in the text are reviewed again here.
Abstract
The conclusion makes comparisons between the medieval and early modern notion of the lesser evil and the more recent concept of harm reduction, and asks how far recent debates on prostitution, child abandonment and the adoption of illegitimate children are still being conducted in broadly similar terms. It argues that, while between 1300 and 1800 charity towards the victims of sexual misconduct and the sex industry grew broader and more imaginative, there were pitfalls in almost every move made and no continuous progress. Institutions often departed from their original aims or failed, through lack of resources, to achieve them. But it is possible to draw attention to significant turning points, and some of those identified in the text are reviewed again here.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Women of lost honour 10
- 2 Prostitution, sin and the law 29
- 3 Prostitutes, courtesans and public morality 48
- 4 Extenuation and rescue 67
- 5 Penitent sinners 86
- 6 Women and girls in danger 106
- 7 Foundlings and orphans 125
- 8 Natural and spurious infants 140
- 9 Abandonment, reception and infant mortality 159
- 10 Fostering and adoption 177
- 11 Foundlings and society 192
- Conclusion 210
- Bibliography 217
- Index 237
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Contents v
- Preface vii
- List of abbreviations ix
- Introduction 1
- 1 Women of lost honour 10
- 2 Prostitution, sin and the law 29
- 3 Prostitutes, courtesans and public morality 48
- 4 Extenuation and rescue 67
- 5 Penitent sinners 86
- 6 Women and girls in danger 106
- 7 Foundlings and orphans 125
- 8 Natural and spurious infants 140
- 9 Abandonment, reception and infant mortality 159
- 10 Fostering and adoption 177
- 11 Foundlings and society 192
- Conclusion 210
- Bibliography 217
- Index 237
