In the context of women's liberation during the Victorian era, what was often perceived as a threat to male dominance?

The answer identifies a woman's sexual control as a significant threat to male dominance during the Victorian era, a time characterized by strict social norms about gender roles and sexual behavior. Women increasingly sought autonomy over their own bodies and sexualities, which challenged the prevailing patriarchal structures that dictated their worth and purpose were largely defined by their roles as wives and mothers, for the benefit of men.

The desire for sexual control implied that women could make choices that were previously denied to them, thereby undermining the expectations of passivity and subservience that were central to male authority. This shift in perception was unsettling for many men, who feared the disruption of social order and traditional family structures that had long upheld male dominance. Furthermore, the idea of women asserting control over their sexuality signaled a broader shift towards independence and agency, directly threatening the established power dynamics of the time.

While education and voting rights were indeed crucial aspects of the women's liberation movement and were considered threats to male dominance, they stemmed in part from the broader theme of women seeking autonomy, which was closely tied to their sexual agency. Therefore, the focus on sexual control encapsulates a central concern of that era.