I mean let's look at the data suggesting "no":
::: spoiler spoiler
no contraceptiveless effective contraceptives means greater chance of pregnancy, so sex is less common from the get-go- no mass-produced lubes or oils if you're into that, or benefit from it.
- Lower Quality beds, and no beds if you go back far enough
- Oh yeah, gay sex was literally illegal for most of recorded history.
- patriarchy and presumably low discussion about how to improve sex for all participating parties.
- Most people slept in the same room as their children a long time ago, so they would presumably do-the-nasty while their children were present and could hear/see.
:::
But, arguments in favour of 'yes'?
::: spoiler spoiler
- Kids had to work and could wander around more in villages, meaning husband and wife might be able to go at it during the day time in an unoccupied house (some people get to achieve this today with intricate planning)
- that gritty period-drama vibe makes all things sexier.
- Use of words like "ravish"
- uh-oh, guess I'm out of stuff!
:::
What do you all think?
4 Comments
nerv@fedinsfw.app · 14 pts · 122d
Akasazh@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 122d
There are a few flaws with your assumptions about historical life. The period drama is a pretty good pun, if intended.
Mainly the children having to work elsewhere is pretty tied to the industrial age. Most likely they did work quite close to house. And the house would be not very much more than a single room where dinner was made, housework was done and sleeping for all family members. This wasn't very conductive for sexy times.
But situations varied so widely that it's very hard to generalize.
But biologically not very much has changed. Life uhh finds a way. The sexual act would be pretty similar and enjoyable. If you don't know about new inventions or scientific insights you wouldn't really miss them.
Our understanding of hygiëne has made us a overly scared of microbes. People have been doing mostly fine with only practical understanding. Napoleon would instruct his lover not to bathe a he found her smell arousing, maybe us showering daily has taken something away.
Apeman42@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 122d
I'm going to guess no, overall, though I'm sure there are times and societies where there were exceptions to that.
For many of the reasons you listed, and also less ease of access to cleaning oneself both before and after. And I'm guessing on average, it's gotten a lot better for women especially, what with people y'know, acknowledging they can cum too.
FishMouse@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 122d
In medieval Europe it was well understood that women can orgasm, indeed it was a common belief that it was necessary for pregnancy.
FineRoses@fedinsfw.app · 1 pts · 122d
CapOnBackwards@fedinsfw.app · 3 pts · 122d
dabw1@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 122d
A funny thing about the modern conception of history is that just your average citizen of most empires or even a medieval peasant likely worked less than you, had more holidays and festivals than you, enjoyed greater freedom of movement than you, and had better sex than you, but if you depicted that in fiction people would say it was unrealistic.
FineRoses@fedinsfw.app · 2 pts · 122d