Victorian Childhood: Themes and Variations

by Thomas E. Jordan

Overview

This book presents a broad range of original data on childhood in Victorian Britain. It combines a social science approach to data with historical context, resulting in a highly readable account based on sound historiography.

Against a backdrop of the industrial revolution, an expanding economy, and a rising standard of living, Victorian Childhood explores life and death, child development, the family, work, education, social life, cities, crime, and advocacy and reform. Presenting data on the deteriorating health of children during the nineteenth century and on their increasing displacement of adults in the workplace, the author demonstrates that they did not share proportionately in the increased standard of living.

Jordan's book is a unique piece of scholarship in its range, focus, and presentation. Original sources such as diaries and memoirs not previously cited elsewhere, literature from the period, and anecdotes from the children themselves animate the statistical background and provide vivid pictures of their lives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780887065453
Publisher:	State University of New York Press
Publication date:	09/30/1987
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	391
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Thomas E. Jordan is Associate Vice Chancellor and Dean of the Graduate School at the University of Missouri at St. Louis.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

1. Development and Health

Data on Children's Growth
Nutrition
The Degeneracy Problem
Epidemics and Child Health
Adulteration of Food and Medicine
Food and the Public
Work and Health
Handicapped Children

2. The Family

Family Planning
Family Education
Bringing Up Baby
Canal Boat Families
Wrong Side of the Blanket
Social Groups
Clothing

3. Life and Death

Early Development
Statistics
Death
Mortality and Social Class
Interment
Illegitimacy Rates
Godfrey's Cordial
Causes of Death
Causes of Reduced Child Mortality
Chadwick's Work

4. Work

Child Labor
Occupations of Young People 1841-1881
Mayhew's Children
The Master
The Environment
Income
Children in the Economy

5. Learning

A Little Learning
Voluntary Schools
Going to School

6. Social Life

The Culture of Childhood
Fresh Air and Fun
The Resorts
Granville on Spas
Factory Outings
St. Monday
Traditional Holidays
Sundays and Weekends
Sport
Trains
The Great Exhibition

7. Cities

Transportation
Housing
Model Housing
London
The City and the Land
Building the Neighborhood
The Ambience

8. Virtues and Vices

Violence
Children of the Perishing and Dangerous Classes
Child Victims
Young Offenders
Offenses
Ships
Penal Reform
Drinking
Religion

9. Advocacy and Reform

Scope
Personal Philanthropy
Government Action
Scotland and Ireland
Dynamics of Change

References

Name Index

Subject Index