Meaning of "acknowledged in a way" in the given sentence

Question

Here is the sentence:

Female sexuality within the working classes of Western Europe was acknowledged in a way that it was not within the middle class.

Here is a more detailed excerpt:

"Female sexuality within the working classes of Western Europe was acknowledged in a way that it was not within the middle class. Demographic evidence reveals a sharp rise in illegitimacy between 1750 and 1850. In Frankfurt, Germany, for example, where the illegitimacy rate had been a mere 2 per cent in the early 1700s, reached 25 per cent in 1850. In Bordeaux, France, in 1840, one-third of the recorded births were illegitimate."

Answer 1

I think this is a very euphemistic sentence. I read it as

It was accepted that working class women across Western Europe enjoyed sexual activities. Whereas Middle and upper class women were not accepted as enjoying sexual activities, they were still meant to only have sex to satisfy their husband.

Answer 2

The meaning of "Acknowledged in a way, just means that, you are acknowledging the person or people you are referring to.

For example:

Female sexuality within the working classes of Western Europe was acknowledged in a way that it was not within the middle class.

This just means, that the Female Sexuality, was acknowledged by doing a variety of actions to respect them. Like giving them money, or doing a parade.

Thus, that is why acknowledged in a way is put into that sentence, yet with a context, with a simple meaning behind it!!! (XD)