Vagrancy and Prostitution in Law Enforcement Regulation at the Turn of the 19th–20th Century

Abstract

The study examines the policing regulation of begging and prostitution at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. It demonstrates how societies have consistently sought to control behaviors considered antisocial or disorderly through legal means, though such regulations were often incomplete and inconsistent. The paper explores in detail the legal and social perceptions of begging and prostitution, regulatory attempts, and their practical effects. It also highlights how historical examples may offer insights into contemporary legislative challenges.