COVE

Due to the rise in population, there were less jobs available to women, especially those that were lower class. Therefore, many women went into prostitution to be able to support themselves and their children, if they had "illegitimate" children. Many social reformers watched this closely because prostitution became a major concern during the industrialization period. Sex was only supposed to be used for procreation, so what they were doing was considered outlandish and wrong. Since higher class women were finding husbands, they were also following gender standards of the time, which deemed them the "Angel of the House." Since men married women that used sex strictly for procreation, they look elsewhere for someone to grant their sexual wishes. Since many of these women were poor or had low-wage jobs, they relied on these men to pay them for their sexual deeds. this became a barter system in the 19th century. (Revisiting Dickens) A fine example of this lifestyle is the "Goblin Market" by Christina Rossetti. Her poem highlighted the dangers that came with the life of a prostitute and how it can affect a woman's future during that time.