People are shallow! Too often they push their own agenda feeling they know best. People should be able to dictate what they own child reads, but it ends there. Not even a spouse has the power to dictate what the other spouse reads - even tho many think they do.
I think the men were in fear of what their wives might learn - to maintain authority you must make others believe you know best - which is what men wanted. There are still 'racy' books being published. 'Racy' being the multifaceted word. There always will be.
Often back then the word 'damn' made a book unacceptable. Today the F-word plasters many books, but they become bestsellers. Times change - as does our opinions.