A rediscovered Victorian-era guide called Sex Tips For Husbands and Wives, that was republished for the first time since 1894, is revealing some of the rather interesting bedroom attitudes of that period.
As it turns out, oral sex and doggy style were considered “abnormal”.
The book states:
“Most men are by nature rather perverted, and if given half a chance, would engage in quite a variety of the most revolting practices. These practices include, among others: performing the normal act in abnormal positions; mouthing the female body; and offering their own vile bodies to be mouthed in turn.”
Blimey.
The eye-opening guide to married sex was written by a vicar’s wife by the name of Ruth Smythers. She was married to Reverend L.D. Smythers of the Arcadian Methodist Church.
Not only were couples of that time fond of missionary position, they also didn’t seem to have been very fond of sex, seemingly following a set of unwritten rules that might leave you wondering how they managed to reproduce at all.
They include:
Headaches being frequently used as a sex diversion;
“Feigned illness, sleepiness, and headaches are among [a woman’s] best friend in this matter.”
No makeup sex. A fight means game O-V-E-R;
“Arguments, nagging, scolding, and bickering also prove very effective [in putting a man off sex], if used in the late evening.”