Throughout the 20th century, many Western nations moved toward "prohibition," driving the industry underground.
In recent decades, countries like the Netherlands and Germany legalized sex work to improve safety. Others, like Sweden, adopted the "Nordic Model," which decriminalizes the seller but penalizes the buyer. The History of Prostitution
The history of prostitution is less a story of "progress" and more a reflection of how societies define gender, labor, and morality. Whether viewed as a religious rite, a social necessity, or a human rights issue, it remains a central, if contentious, part of the human experience. Throughout the 20th century, many Western nations moved
Prostitution was a legal, taxed, and regulated business. While sex workers (often slaves or freedwomen) occupied a low social status ( infamia ), the practice was considered a necessary "vent" to protect the sanctity of marriage. The Middle Ages: Tolerance and Regulation The history of prostitution is less a story
Many medieval cities established licensed brothels to control public order and generate tax revenue.
The modern era is defined by the tension between abolition and harm reduction.