Sex with a Purpose: Prostitution, Venereal Disease, and Militarized Masculinity in the Third Reich

Analyzes the struggle between public health experts and political and military authorities in Nazi Germany. Curbing the spread of venereal disease was of little interest to Nazi leaders, who were chiefly concerned about heterosexual male sexual satisfaction and who allowed brothel visits as rewards to men who fought for the fatherland. Providing sexual satisfaction to men became paramount, and even of greater interest than a reproduction policy of promoting large Aryan families, since prostitution helped to prevent potential male political discontent.