victorian morality

[steammill]

Since first taking up geneology some ten years ago,i have been quite surprised at the levels of illegitamte births that i have come across while trawling through parish registers etc.Iwas always aware of the promscuity that existed among what was loosely termed the victorian lower orders, but many of these births in my home town of Preston lancs appear to have been to young women from what appear to be uper working class backgrounds.Without in the slightest way suggesting condemnation of these previous generations,God knows life was harsh enough without that , my schooling always led me to believe that the victorians were without moral decadence, Or that crime,street robbery,muggings,prostitution etc were limited to a few inner city slum areas in major cities.How wrong i was as a few hours scanning contempory newspapers confirmed.Have we always been apromiscuous and violent nation, or have we always been in denial about this?

[Gadget]

This website gives a lot of information - especially under Social History and Gender Matters.

http://www.victorianweb.org/


Gadget

[adee7]

Hello steammill,

I see that you're new to RootsChat.  Welcome to the site of addicted searchers.

I believe that in all societies there is a lot of denial regarding adherence to stated high moral standards and that in many cases the wealthier folks had more opportunity to hide the 'indiscretions'.

Regards,

Kathleen

[stanmapstone]

You should read "The Victorian Underworld" by Donald Thomas. where he writes about the brothels, pornography, forgery and serial killers.
See also Bastardy and Baby Farming in Victorian England
http://www.loyno.edu/~history/journal/1989-0/haller.htm

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Another site is Time traveller's guide to Victorian Britain

http://www.channel4.com/history/microsites/H/history/guide19/part01.html

Stan

[stanmapstone]

Since first taking up geneology some ten years ago,i have been quite surprised at the levels of illegitamte births that i have come across while trawling through parish registers

In the annual report of the Registrar-General 1845, it was stated that in 1830 the baptisms and births returned were 399,324; illegitimate children 20,039. In 1842 births registered were 517,789; illegitimate children 34,796. In 1900 births registered were 927,062, with those outside marriage 36,814.

For the statistical minded:

From 1841 to 1905 the percentage of births outside marriage fell from 6.7% to 4% then was at 4 - 4.5 % until 1940 except for 1916-1920 when it was 5.4%. From 1941 to 1960 it averaged 5.5%. In 1961-5 it was 6.9% and 1996-2000 it was 37.8%.

From the historic statistics on live and stillbirths occurring annually in England and Wales.
http://www.statistics.gov.uk/statbase/Product.asp?vlnk=8972

Stan

[Siamese Girl]

I think it depends what you mean by the word "moral" - what was considered immoral behaviour when I was little is now considered perfectly normal - whether I approve or not.

Carole

[Gadget]

Exactly, Carole. That's why I just gave a link. Morality and other social mores are difficult to compare or research over time.

It would be very interesting to find what indicators can be used to evaluate and/or measure a term such as Morality.

Gadget

[meles]

'Twas ever thus, Steammill.

In moral times, it was denied (read Dickens or Austen). In less moral times it was celebrated (read Shakespeare or Chaucer).

Now we are in confused times, and not quite sure whether to accept or not.

meles