Girls as young as 12 and boys around 14 could marry. The Statute of Westminster in was the first age-of-consent law. Similar practices existed in American colonies and Europe. Marriage was seen as protection against prostitution or destitution for girls. Yet, many girls were forced into early marriages. In , the age of consent for girls was shockingly set at 11 years, showing a lack of empathy for young girls. Children were viewed as miniature adults, vulnerable to exploitation.
Young girls were forced into marriages, disregarding their well-being. Women were confined to domestic roles, and their voices were overshadowed by male dominance. Only in later centuries, with feminist movements and evolving norms, did progress take shape.
Women, Sex and the Job Market. Prostitution persisted in Georgian London, trapping many young girls and women in its grip. Sadly, many girls like Emily Warren, muse to Sir Joshua Reynolds, entered prostitution at tragically young ages. Despite their resilience, they faced a dangerous reality. Search for:.
