Life is much more dangerous today for single women.  One reason why: it's easier for them to get raped today than ever before.  Why? Because they have the freedom to act in ways that, a century ago, young women were simply forbidden to act. When western Canadian women achieved the right to vote, one of the first ways they exercised that right was to vote "wet"; to repeal Prohibition. Then they started drinking because it was "OK."  Not in Saloons--but at home.  Soon, in many jurisdictions, they could drink (beer) publicly, too, even if they had to enter the beer parlor by a separate entrance. 

Before then?  No public drinking...very little private drinking. Most women were virgins at the alter. Society protected women...and put them into social straitjackets to do it.  They HAD to, because Canada had a saloon culture. One example:  1880s Winnipeg boasted over 80 bars--for 16,000 people.

Today, women can act the way they want, where they want, with whom they want.  And its all legal.