The Revolt Against Sexual Double Standards

How the Danish ‘Sexual Morality Conflict’ illuminated the differing societal expectations for men and women and challenged the entrenched gender norms.

In the labyrinth of history, an interesting chapter emerges — the Morality Conflict, which unfolded during the years 1883 to 1887.

Let me enlighten you about the period that I found particularly intriguing as a student.

The often overlooked chapter stands as a pivotal milestone that shaped the course of societal progress.

This period was more than a mere historical footnote; it marked a transformative phase that brought to light the pervasive double standards entrenched in society’s perception of sexual norms for both women and men.

While the surface focus was on sexual morals, the conflict’s undercurrents addressed the deeper societal inequalities that women faced, laying the groundwork for their future sexual freedom in the western world.

The term “Morality Conflict” encapsulates a societal debate that held the public discourse captive during its era.

Women were expected to embody chastity, loyalty, and sexual innocence, virtues deemed essential for their societal worth.

Meanwhile, men of the same period could navigate infidelity or premarital encounters with relative impunity.

The disparity was undeniable: the scales of societal morality were unbalanced, with women carrying the heavier burden.

Let’s examine two of the most prominent figures who contributed opposing viewpoints.

Elisabeth Grundtvig and Georg Brandes emerge as central figures in this chapter, each presenting distinct viewpoints that reverberate through time.

Grundtvig’s perspective, reflecting the prevailing sentiments of her time, veered toward conservatism. To her, advocating for women’s sexual liberation seemed perilous, as she believed that it would only exacerbate their societal plight. Sexual urges and desires, she posited, were yet another burden that women would bear. In her…