Child Abuse in the Victorian Era
Child abuse, today, is a sensitive and seriously addressed topic. The commission of acts considered child abuse is punishable by law, sometimes severely so. Unfortunately, this has not always been the case. “Victoria’s England was a child-dominated society. Throughout her long reign, one out of every three of her subjects was under the age of fifteen.” (Gubar, n.d.).Although many of the practices in the Victorian era would now be considered child abuse, - and are, thereby, no less forgivable - in that time they were simply the way of life. In this paper, we will examine and discuss a few of these situations.
When looking at the topic of child abuse in that time, although it seems cut and dried to us today, one must first look at the (rather convoluted) definition of childhood in that time. To begin with what is perhaps the most significant factor; one must realize that the definition of childhood, and the consequences for abuse of these children, differed between social classes.
(Rosen, 2010) The children of the upper and, to some extent, the middle classes, were usually well treated, protected, educated and allowed what we today would consider a more normal childhood; one of imagination, play and education. Abuse of these children often resulted in, at the least, fines paid to the head of household in “reparation” or jail time for more serious offences such as sexual abuse (Christensen, 2011).
In contrast, the children of the lower classes and poverty stricken were considered as contributors to the family income from the time they were old enough and strong enough to do so. In some cases, this was as young as four or five years of age. These children took work where-ever they could find it. Although there were child labor laws, they were largely either ineffectual or ignored. The youngest children could often be found selling matches, sweeping crossings, or selling flowers they had picked from roadsides or filched from gardens of the more well-to-do. Once a child was only a bit older they might become “employed” – normally for a mere pittance of a wage – as a chimneysweep, in a factory or mine or, perhaps most dangerously, in a textile mill. Many such employers argued against child labor laws, claiming that the employment of children was actually essential since their smaller hands and bodies would fit into spaces that an adult simply could not (Christensen, 2011).
The fate of girls (and some boys, though this was distinctly unacknowledged at the time) held yet another aspect of potential abuse; that of prostitution. Although there were in place laws forbidding “congress” with girls under the age of twelve, it was not uncommon for girls as young as nine or ten to be forced into this lifestyle. This might either out of necessity for money to aid their families or by exploitation. Once the “age of consent” had been reached a female child was considered “of an age to know her own mind in regards to intercourse” (wording slightly changed for the sake of propriety.) It would not be until 1885 that the age of legal consent would be raised to that of sixteen years and even longer for it to be raised to twenty-one. (Rosen, 2010)
To our eyes today, child abuse was rampant during the Victorian era and, indeed, the examples shown above do constitute child abuse – by today’s standards. This author does not disagree that the presented scenarios constituted child abuse. It is, however, essential to remember that within the setting and time period presented, they were the norm. By and large, children of that time, especially the poor and poverty stricken, were simply not viewed in the same way we see our children today; as something to be cherished and protected.
References
1.Christensen, V. (2011, June 27). Childhood in the Victorian Era. Retrieved from .R. Christensen - Author: http://vrchristensen.com/http:/vrchristensen.com/childhood-in-the-victorian-era/
2. Gubar, M. (n.d.). The Victorian Child, c.1837-1901. Retrieved from Representing Childhood: http://www.representingchildhood.pitt.edu/victorian.htm
3.Rosen, B. (2010, October 13). Sexual Abuse and Sexual Exploitation of Victorian Children. Retrieved from Victorian History: http://vichist.blogspot.com/2010/10/sexual-abuse-and-sexual-exploitation-in.html