Sex and Love in Porfirian Mexico City

Exploring the sexual lives of the poor and workingclass in turn-of-the-century MexicoThis socialhistory explores the romantic and sexual lives of the poor and working class inMexico City during the rule of dictator Porfirio Daz from 1876 to 1911. Byanalyzing sexually based crime cases and stories in the penny press, MichaelMatthews sheds light on everyday struggles, joys, and desires. Matthews arguesthat lower-class individuals had more liberated sexual lives than theirwealthier counterparts, influenced by the citys growth and cultural changes.In this book, Matthewsexamines how Mexico Citys expanding infrastructure, increasing factory work,and new leisure and entertainment activities shaped courtship and sexualpractices. He delves into the world of tenement buildings and street life toreconstruct days defined by love and desire, romance and rape, seduction and sexwork, and promises kept and broken. Matthews connects the sexual culture of thepoor to the changes taking place as the Mexican state modernized and underwenttremendous capitalist growth and development.Sex and Love inPorfirian Mexico Cityprovides insights into how social and economic developments shaped culturalnorms surrounding honor, marriage, morality, and parental authority during thisperiod. It will spur new reflections on the possible influence of lower-classculture on modern-day romance and sexual values.