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Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society
Age of Consent: Medieval Meaning, Victorian Scandals & Modern Relevance
Oct 6, 2023
Today's guest, Laura Lammasniemi, a professor at Warwick School of Law, takes us on a fascinating journey back in time to explore the ever-changing laws around consent. From medieval interpretations to Victorian scandals, Lammasniemi highlights the historical and societal contexts of consent laws. She also discusses the gender disparities in these laws and emphasizes the importance of conversations around consent today. Tune in to Betwixt the Sheets for a thought-provoking exploration of this topic.
41:50
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Quick takeaways
- The scandal surrounding the Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon in the late 19th century led to the passing of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which raised the age of consent for girls to 16.
- The podcast explores the historical context of the age of consent, revealing how societal attitudes towards consent, the protection of women's virginity, and the concern for boys' consent have evolved throughout history.
Deep dives
The Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon and the Age of Consent
The episode discusses the scandal known as the Maiden Tribute of Modern Babylon, which was a series of newspaper articles written by journalist William T. Stead in the late 19th century. Stead was a social reformer who focused on the issue of child prostitution and advocated for raising the age of consent to 16. He conducted a controversial investigation where he kidnapped a 13-year-old girl, Eliza Armstrong, and had her inspected by a midwife to prove her virginity. The scandal and public outrage generated by Stead's articles led to the passing of the Criminal Law Amendment Act of 1885, which raised the age of consent for girls to 16. The episode explores the historical context of the age of consent, the gendered views on sexuality, and the societal impact of the scandal.
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