Which were the Social Differences Between Classes of Women in the victorian era?

Question

Please It's for a final project!

Answer 1

There where basicly three classes
the lower or servant class that most people fell into
the middle class or merchant class that few where
and finally the upper class or aristocrats

Answer 2

As someone mentioned above, there were three classes. This is true, but once studied, the lines become blurred! lol

In the working class, women worked as well as the men as they were poorly paid and had high rents to pay. They, as well as children, were cheap labour and had little opportunies to better themselves. In Dundee however, the role was reversed and about 60% of the workforce was female (the city was a massive jute and linen manufacturer) - the men were seen as lazy if they didn't have a job and many stayed at home to look after the families! Literacy was pretty poor, though to be classed as literate would to be able to write your name. Legislation was passed to give children an education, such as the 1870 (1872 in Scotland) which made it compulsory for children to go to school. In Scotland, the education system was completely different - each parish had it's own school, with the teacher being subsidised by the church and government. They were normally university taught. There was also a system called 'the lad o'pairts' - basically, if a pupil showed willingness to learn and could learn quickly, the schoolteacher would recommend them to their university and everyone would rally round to help them.

In the latter half of the period, things started to change and the middle class started to get bigger. Also, looking at the census, we see a change in women's occupations. Some aren't listed as they may not have been working at the time the census was carried out. It also became unfashionable for women to work - it was a mark of status that they didn't have to. Also, another mark of status was to have even one servant in the house - well, someone other than the living occupants to answer the front door!

This is a REALLY brief answer - to answer fully would take too long and you would get bored reading it! I'm studying this period for university at the moment, if you email me, I would be happy to give you a book list of general reading - from there, if you wish to study further, you could also take a look at the bibliographies.

I really really hope I have been of some help at least. If you need further help, just get in contact! :-)

Answer 3

There were many differences between the classes of women at that time.

Women who were in a fortunate financial position did not have to undertake the kinds of work that many poor women had to. At that time there were two major fields of work for women, working in domestic service or factory work because of industrialisation. Many wealthy women actually looked down their noses at women doing factory work.

Education opportunities were more easily available for women who weren't poor and many women who were lucky enough could now think about achieving both qualifications and a career.

In many ways though it could be said that poorer women of that time had more freedom and independance because they were able to work and juggle different things. For instance women who were in domestic service had plenty of freedom. They had their job, salary and lodgings that came with the job.

I hope this helps you & good luck.

Answer 4

Ladies or not. A lady meant playing piano, speaking some French, doing fancy needlework. Could be rich or poor.
Others - servants. Governesses were in between. Educated but no money.