The 1851 census revealed the 'social problem' of 'redundant women' in Britain (i.e. the fact that there were more single women than single men). Why were there so many more single (esp. middle class) women than men?
2007-04-23 06:32:31 · 2 answers · asked by Edward Appleby 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ History
In response to Capn Kirk:
- I don't think that military or imperial 'explanations' account entirely for the discrepancy. I could be wrong.
2007-04-23 07:44:03 · update #1
Men went off in the service of their country. So here are some reasons why that would have and effect on the numbers.
1. Men died in battle.
2. Going overseas put soldiers in contact with various exotic diseases, killing them.
3. Some found wives and stayed in the homeland of their wives. Most of those places were warmer than England..
Then there is also the fact that most prisoners were men and prison conditions were horrible.
Finally, land was inherited by the eldest son. Other sons were then sent overseas to the colonies to earn their fortune. The daughters stayed home and tried to get a suitable marriage arranged.
So basically, men left for war and to seek their fortune, women stayed. Ergo, more women than men.
2007-04-23 07:17:42 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
One theory seems to be that is was "due to the fact that their "natural mates are in all ends of the earth seeking their fortune"".
"Victorian Working Women" : http://www.victorianweb.org/authors/dickens/ge/workwom.html
Others blame the Napoleonic wars.
"The Arrival of the Woman Writer: Now Discussing Elizabeth Gaskell's CRANFORD" : http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/bn/board/print?board.id=BritishClassics&message.id=5&page=3&format=page
2007-04-23 08:47:36 · answer #2 · answered by Erik Van Thienen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋