The Inequality Of Women During The Victorian Era

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The “Victorian Era” refers to England in the nineteenth century. It was a time of gender inequality with a strange undercurrent of gradual change. Men dominated and all privilege and power was reserved for them. Women were considered weaker, less intelligent and absolutely subordinate to men in almost all matters. The legal system, which in many instances disallowed women from owning property or having any legal rights, created a situation where women were dependent upon men. But even in this lopsided situation, women were nonetheless considered to be the moral pillar of society and stood for all things true and correct. The Victoria era was a time when a distinct shift in ideas about women and male dominance occurred while oddly the social rituals and moral norms between men and…show more content…
With time, women began to get some recognition for their personal and intellectual successes and toward the end of the century ideas and attitudes were beginning to shift. But even as women made strides they were always treated differently than men. A notion of “equal but different” prevailed at the end of the era. This concept was not much different than what was experienced in the United States with the integration of blacks into society where the idea of “separate but equal” reigned supreme. A typical well bred Victorian woman grew up with the sole focus of preparation for marriage. Women were expected to dress and act in a refined and submissive manner and to remain virgins until marriage. Upon marriage, a woman’s place was in the home taking on domestic matters. Her status, daily needs and general well being all depended upon her husband. She was not to be concerned with anything outside of the home. This refined domestic woman also provided the standards of morality and social norms for the

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