Prostitution in Seventeenth Century Europe

Prostitution, from its earliest inceptions, has carried a rather unflattering connotation. A majority of the population attaches pejorative labels such as "slut" or "whore" to its practitioners, and deem the institution in general as a taboo subject not mentioned in polite conversation. Regardless of its negative stereotypes, prostitution has become an omnipresent reality even in today's modern world. This essay looks at prostitution in three European countries- Italy, The Netherlands, and England. It will examine …

…of society. Though most people accepted prostitution to a certain degree, they also sought to manipulate and exploit the system for personal gain. However, in most cases control over this system failed because it became impossible to monitor the shady activities of prostitutes. The only two options were complete legalization or total criminalization. Though prostitution will probably maintain its seedy implications, it will nevertheless continue to be an everlasting presence for several years to come.