The Great Sin of Great Cities examines a difficult social problem with clear purpose and care. This reprint presents a historical argument about prostitution, its harms, and what society can and should do to respond.
Though written as a public and moral inquiry, the piece frames the issue in practical terms. It discusses the impact on individuals, families, and public health, and it weighs possible measures for reform and prevention while acknowledging the challenges of real-world policy.
- Understand how the author defines prostitution and why he considers it a grave social issue.
- Explore the arguments for and against eradication, regulation, and public health approaches.
- Learn about proposed institutional responses, including health-focused departments and hospitals.
- Consider how attitudes toward morality, gender, and social reform shaped debates in the era.
Ideal for readers interested in the history of social reform, public health, and 19th‑century debates about morality and policy.