Women in Victorian Society- Domestic Issues

Domestic chores for women without servants meant a lot of washing and cleaning. Coal-dust was a major cleaning duty for a woman of this time. The coal dust from the stove would coat everything and linens had to be washed regularly. Scrubbing the front wooden doorstep of the home every morning was also a respectful thing to do. Women were often raising six- twelve children on average. The age of the children were normally close together. The women were often expected to look good for their husband as well. The duties were hard for any women head of household, but the deserved respect was often searched for.

 If a women felt she was not given enough respect, it was almost too little too late once a marriage is in place. Divorce was not very common back in this time. If there was a problem in the household, it was to be fixed or ignored. The first animal-cruelty legislation was passed in Great Britain in 1824, however, legal protection from domestic violence was not granted to women until 1853. The Act for the Better Prevention and Punishment of Aggravated Assaults upon Women and Children did not ban violence, but instead it limited to amount of force permitted.