When it came to progressive reform, the reformers were often of two minds. There was the moral side and the scientific side. This was seen in the push for outlawing prostitution. The moral side was prostitution was wrong and that women who became prostitutes were clearly feeble minded who needed saving. Yet a major tenant of progressivism was control and many progressives believed prostitution was needed to keep most women pure, while recognizing men needed to sow some wild oats. For them prostitution instead should be organized and taxed to keep it safe.
Historically Speaking 