Society’s attitude to sex is always changing but these snippets from a book published in 1894 certainly shows what a difference a century makes.
Ruth Smythers released Sex Tips For Husbands And Wives in the 1890s and the guide was intended to advise “sensitive young women” on the “terrible experience of sex”. While most modern guides advise on adventurous positions and sex toys, the author’s guidance was much more conservative and followed the core value of “give little, give seldom, and above all give grudgingly”.
Here are some of her ‘words of wisdom’:
“A wise bride will make it the goal never to allow her husband to see her unclothed body, and never allow him to display his unclothed body to her… sex, when it cannot be avoided, should be practised only in total darkness.
“When he finds her, the wife should lie as still as possible. Bodily motion on her part could be interpreted as sexual excitement by the optimistic husband.”
“Many women have found it useful to have thick cotton nightgowns for themselves and pajamas for their husbands. These should be donned in separate rooms. They need not be removed during the sex act. Thus, a minimum of flesh is exposed.”
“As soon as the husband has completed the act, the wise wife will start nagging him about various minor tasks she wishes him to perform on the morrow.”
“[The wife] will be absolutely silent or babble about her housework while he is huffing and puffing away. Above all, she will lie perfectly still and never under any circumstances grunt or groan while the act is in progress.”
“Clever wives are ever on the alert for new and better methods of denying and discouraging the amorus overtures of the husband.”
“If he attempts to kiss her on the lips she should turn her head slightly so that the kiss falls harmlessly on her cheek instead.”
“If he lifts her gown and attempts to kiss her any place else, she should quickly pull the gown back in place, spring from the bed, and announce that nature calls her to the toilet.”
“Eventually, the husband will learn that if he insists on having sexual contact, he must get on with it without amorous embellishment.”
Excerpts via The Huffington Post.
