1. Social and Economic Changes in the 19th Century
1.1. More knowledge was being spread through medical journals, newspapers and sympathetic physicians and pharmacists. Individuals who read this articles would later spread this information to other friends and family members.
1.2. Economic changes included technological changes in transportation and communication that lead to the growth of the commerce industry and the continual growth of westward expansion.
1.3. Separate Spheres: Mens spheres focused on female purity along with his stereotypical gender roles while a women's sphere focuses on the idea of romantic sexual relationships along with her stereotypical gender roles with a lower emphasis on reproductive roles.
2. Decrease in Birth Rates
2.1. Contraception
2.1.1. Purpose: To limit family size and preserve women's health.
2.1.2. Methods: Abstinence from sexual relations, coitus interruptus, folk medicines, condoms, cervical caps, syringes, etc.
2.1.3. Cons: Some viewed contraception to be encouraging men's sexual behaviors.
2.1.4. Legal Aspects: 1873 Comstock Act: outlawed circulation of contraceptive devices and information to be delivered through the mail.
2.2. Abortion
2.2.1. Purpose: Economic reasons to keep family's small and options when contraception failed.
2.2.2. Availability: Criminalization of abortions made the price increase greatly and they became physically dangerous for women because the "least reputable medical practitioners" were performing them. Working class women especially had limited availability.
2.2.3. Abortion knowledge was passed down through Native American healers and midwives options such as home remedies that included but not limited to gunpowder, rusty nails, herbs or other prescribed roots.
3. Changing Sexual Behaviors in Marriage
3.1. The purpose of sex was moving away from solely reproduction purposes.
3.1.1. This changing view of sexuality affected women as they were discouraged to have sex for pleasure because it conflicted with their pure image.
3.1.2. It became a "close act" between married couples because there was a heightened focus on love and interpersonal intimacy.
3.2. Higher class standings resulted in higher expectations to be sexually reserved.
3.3. However, masturbation was considered unethical.
3.3.1. Men were taught to control their "sexual appetite" to successfully continue their roles in society.
3.3.2. Women were taught to be pure outside of marriage, but were expected to always be sexually available to their husbands.