[A Ruckus of Dogs]

did you know that in the Victorian era -- the golden age of "female modesty," prostitution was far more widespread than it is today,

Because most of the regular women shunned casual encounters.

[Alter Kaker]

Because most of the regular women shunned casual encounters.

But non-regular "working women" comprised a huge percentage of the working and lower-middle classes. Things never were the way they used to be -- the world is constantly changing. Some things are worse, I think a lot more are better.