THE VICTORIAN ERA

S

ocial Structure

R

eforms

C

ourtship

G

entility

E

ntertainment

Social Structure

Social Classes

W

orking Class – physical labor

M

iddle Class – performed clean work

U

pper Class – did not have to work

Working Class

P

oor living and working conditions

D

id not follow rules of courtship

D

id not participate in social entertainment

H

ad very little chance for education

Working Class ConditionsW

orking conditions: •Workers included women and children• Long work days• Poor nutrition and health Living conditions:•Often over crowded • Poorly ventilated• No sewage or drainage systems

Jobs for the Working ClassWomen did all their own housework then had to

go do chores for more privileged womenMen in this class held jobs for the unskilledChildren even had to work to help support the

family in textile mills and factories

ReformsE

ducation reforms•Moving to provide education

for more than just the privileged Factory reforms •Working to get children out of the factories and

provide better conditions Political reforms •Worked to close the huge gap between the

classes

Middle Class

Only men provided the income

Consisted of bankers, shopkeepers, merchants,

engineers, other professionals

Upper Class

Wealth came from inherited land or investments

Included people from the church and of

nobility

CourtshipRules varied based upon classCourtship advanced by gradations Lower classes had opportunities to socialize at

church and during holiday seasonUpper class held their own social events

throughout the season

Courtship

Gentility

Being a Lady

Only women of the upper and middle class have a

coming outCompleted education signified

availability for marriageA girl’s introduction into social lifeMust follow rules a strict set of rules• Outward appearance• Social behavior

Being a Gentleman

Had to follow rules for

introductions

Duty is always to his lady

Followed etiquette for dinner

parties

Entertainment

Several popular forms

of entertainment varied

by socioeconomic classAll could enjoy the arts except those of the

working classClass distinction was evident in the type of

dancingMiddle and upper class read and studied

society novels

Women’s Entertainment

Women of higher class joined various

social groups

Limited to specific sports they could play

Towards the end of the era, women’s

sports expanded

Men’s Entertainment

Men joined various social groups and societies Card games and gambling became popular among

the malesWell-bred men would frequent pleasure gardens