Sexual mores and practices in the 18th century were defined by a rigid class structure and the profound influence of the Enlightenment. While the lower classes navigated the practicalities of reproduction and physical intimacy, the aristocracy cultivated a world of intricate courtship, philosophical debate, and clandestine affairs. This era bridged the raw physicality of the preceding centuries and the more restrained Victorianism of the 19th, creating a complex tapestry of repression and liberation that was heavily dependent on one's social standing.
The Enlightenment and the Shift in Thinking
The 18th century, particularly its latter half, was dominated by the Enlightenment, a movement that championed reason over tradition. This intellectual shift began to dissect human behavior, including sexuality, through a scientific and psychological lens rather than a purely moral or religious one. Thinkers started to explore the biology of reproduction and the psychology of desire, moving the conversation away from sin and toward understanding. This created a more open, albeit still highly stratified, dialogue about sexual health and practices among the educated elite.
Class Distinctions in Intimacy
The most defining characteristic of 18th-century sex was the chasm between the upper and lower classes. For the aristocracy, marriage was often a financial contract, but private life could be filled with elaborate seduction and romantic intrigue. In contrast, for the working poor, sex was inextricably linked to economics and survival. Large families were necessary for labor, and formal marriage was often a legal formality rather than a prerequisite for cohabitation and child-rearing.
Marriage and Property
Within the upper classes, marriage was a strategic alliance that consolidated wealth and land. The transfer of dowries and the establishment of entailments meant that sexual relations were frequently tied to legal and financial obligations. While genuine affection could develop over time, the initial union was rarely based on the romantic love idealized in later centuries. This created a environment where extramarital affairs became a way for the nobility to seek passion and status outside the restrictive bonds of contractual marriage.
Contraception and Prevention
Family planning was a significant concern, yet the methods available were often rudimentary and unreliable. The 18th century saw the continued use of barrier methods like condoms, which were made from linen or animal intestines and were reusable. Withdrawal and folk remedies were also common, though their effectiveness was negligible. For the lower classes, however, large families were often an economic necessity, and birth control methods were largely absent or based on superstition, leading to high rates of maternal mortality and large, closely spaced families.
The Culture of Seduction
Among the elite, the "game" of courtship became a sophisticated art form. The rise of the novel provided a medium to explore themes of romantic love and sexual tension, while salons became venues for intellectual and social flirtation. Affairs were common, but they were governed by a strict, albeit hidden, code of conduct. The exchange of letters, clandestine meetings, and the cultivation of "fatal attractions" were popular pastimes that allowed the aristocracy to indulge in passion while maintaining the facade of respectability.
Medicine and Misunderstanding
Medical understanding of the female body was severely limited, and treatments for sexual health issues were often dangerous. Conditions like hysteria, which was believed to affect women who were sexually frustrated or idle, were commonly "treated" by physicians through manual stimulation to the point of orgasm. This practice, performed by doctors who often refused to treat women directly, highlights the profound ignorance and paternalism surrounding female sexuality in the era. Venereal diseases like syphilis were rampant, and treatments were harsh, involving toxic mercurial compounds that caused their own severe health problems.
