The Age Of Consent Was Just Ten; Children Received No Sex Education
Public Domain Pictures
For most of the 19th century, the age of consent in Victorian times hovered around 10-12 — shockingly young from a modern perspective. In 1875, it was raised to 13, and in 1885, it was raised to 16.
It’s only slightly reassuring that the Victorians eventually wised up and rescued adolescents — especially young girls — from predators, because the Victorians provided zero sex-ed to the adolescents and teenagers they were letting have sex and get married.
For example, the Mosher Survey, which recorded the sexual attitudes of a group of Victorian women, reported that some women learned about sex just by “watching farm animals.”
The Woman’s Medical Companion, published in 1880, claimed to be a comprehensive guide to female health and anatomy. However, the book’s author, Frederick Garbitt, only mentions the female genitalia in the context of childbirth and gave no information on sex or practical advice on how to maintain the health of the reproductive system outside of pregnancy.
And texts like these were simply par for the course in Victorian England.
Enjoy this fascinating look at Victorian sex? Then check out our other posts on interesting articles and haunting Victorian photography of the dead. Finally, check out 21 weird sex facts you really don’t want to know.
