Final answer:
The correct answer is option b) They sought to address the root causes of prostitution, such as poverty and exploitation.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Progressive Era, reformers fought against prostitution primarily through two approaches. Firstly, they aimed to address the root causes of prostitution, focusing on factors such as poverty and exploitation. This was part of a broader movement to reform society by changing personal behavior and addressing social ills arising from industrialization and urbanization, including advocating for women's rights and improving the conditions of the urban poor.
More directly, many activists and organizations, including those led by middle-class women, worked to criminalize prostitution and close down vice districts where such activities took place. Their actions contributed to the passage of laws making prostitution illegal in many United States cities.
Lastly, British feminists in the 1880s also fought against laws like the Contagious Diseases Acts, arguing that they unfairly targeted women while ignoring male clients, thereby challenging broader societal views on women's roles and sexuality.