Victorian_living_standards Flashcards
(15 cards)
What assumption is often made about Victorian living standards?
That they improved because Britain was the “workshop of the world”
What are three problems with evaluating Victorian living standards?
- Different measures of standard (e.g. GDP, real wages, life expectancy)
- Class, gender, and regional inequality
- No reliable unemployment data
Q: How did living standards differ between skilled and unskilled workers?
A: Skilled workers had more stable and higher wages; unskilled workers often faced irregular, low pay and unemployment
Why doesn’t a rise in real wages always mean better living standards?
Because unemployment, high rent, and poor housing could still limit well-being despite more money.
How were the poor affected during unemployment?
they relied on poor law relief, often fell into the “submerged tenth”, and many aged unskilled workers died reliant on it
Why isn’t GDP a good measure of living standards?
t’s a national average and doesn’t reflect inequalities between individuals or groups
How did life expectancy and infant mortality change in Victorian Britain?
Both improved, mostly due to scientific and medical advances, but regional disparities remained.
What do biometric records from Boer War volunteers reveal?
Many working-class men were stunted and malnourished; 2/3 of volunteers were rejected.
Why were working-class women economically vulnerable?
Most were excluded from industry, had no independent income, and were dependent on men’s wages
What was ‘penny capitalism’ for women?
Small-scale income-generating efforts by women, with limited earnings and little data
How did domestic roles impact girls’ education?
Domestic demands restricted access to or benefit from education; in 1871, over 25% of brides couldn’t sign their name
What economic roles did poor women sometimes turn to?
Prostitution or low-paid domestic service, both with risks and few protections
How did M/C and aristocratic women differ in their economic role?
M/C women could enter some professions but were restricted by marriage bars; aristocratic women weren’t expected to work
Did the middle and upper classes experience improved living standards?
Yes, through increased wages, suburban living, leisure, and secure incomes
What happened to landowners as agriculture declined?
They stayed wealthy, often owning land for suburban development or industrial use.
