How did the poor live in Victorian times?

How did the poor live in Victorian times?

A poor Victorian family would have lived in a very small house with only a couple of rooms on each floor. The very poorest families had to make do with even less – some houses were home to two, three or even four families. The houses would share toilets and water, which they could get from a pump or a well.

What was a poor Victorian child daily routine?

Poor children often had to work instead of going to school. Many worked with their parents at home or in workshops, making matchboxes or sewing. Children could also earn a bit of money as chimney-sweeps, messengers or crossing sweepers like the boy in this picture.

What was the daily routine in Victorian workhouses?

The workhouse routine The inmates were woken in the morning by a tolling bell, and this same bell called the inmates to breakfast, dinner and supper. In between meals, they had to earn their food and bed by working hard at the jobs given to them by the guardians.

What was life like for a poor Victorian child?

Children from working class families	Children from rich families
had few luxuries. ate poor food worked long hours lived in damp, filthy conditions. Many children died of disease.	usually well fed, clean and well clothed. didn’t need to work went on holidays had expensive toys had pets such as ponies.

What was poverty like in the 1800s?

At the end of the 19th century, more than 25% of the population was living at or below subsistence level. Surveys indicated that around 10% were very poor and could not afford even basic necessities such as enough nourishing food.

Why was poverty a problem in Victorian England?

Poverty was caused by many factors in the 1800s: Large families – many children had to be catered for. Death of main ‘bread-winner’ – no one to make money. Disability/injury at work – loss of earnings through inability to work.

What were the differences between rich and poor Victorians?

There was a big difference between rich and poor in Victorian times. Rich people could afford lots of treats like holidays, fancy clothes, and even telephones when they were invented. Poor people – even children – had to work hard in factories, mines or workhouses. They didn’t get paid very much money.

Can you leave workhouse?

While residing in a workhouse, paupers were not allowed out without permission. Short-term absence could be granted for various reasons, such as a parent attending their child’s baptism, or to visit a sick or dying relative. Able-bodied inmates could also be allowed out to seek work.

What did poor Victorians do?

Poor people could work in mines, in mills and factories, or in workhouses. Whole families would sometimes have to work so they’d all have enough money to buy food. Children in poor families would have jobs that were best done by people who weren’t very tall.

What did poor Victorians do for fun?

Poor families made their own, such as cloth-peg dolls and paper windmills. Children would save their pocket money to buy marbles, a spinning top, skipping ropes, kites or cheap wooden toys. Girls played with dolls and tea sets whilst boys played with toy soldiers and marbles.

What did the rich Victorians think of the poor?

The Poor	The Wealthy
had few luxuries. ate food they could afford to buy worked long hours lived in damp, filthy conditions. Many children died of disease.	usually well fed, clean and well clothed. didn’t need to work lived in big houses with servants went on holidays children had expensive toys children went to school

What was life like for poor people in Victorian Britain?

Poor Victorians had a rough and hard life, often ending up in the workhouse or early death. Below is a table showing you some of the differences between rich and poor people: had few luxuries. lived in damp, filthy conditions. Many children died of disease. usually well fed, clean and well clothed. What does being poor mean?

What was life like in a Victorian workhouse?

The Victorian workhouse came in many shapes and sizes. Many were disused buildings bought by the parish and turned into workhouses, and others were specially built.

What was the daily routine of the workhouse?

The daily routine for workhouse inmates prescribed by the Poor Law Commissioners in 1835 was as follows: Half an hour after the workhouse bell was rung for rising, the Master or Matron performed a roll-call in each section of the workhouse.

What did people do for fun in the Victorian era?

Theatres, music halls, libraries, museums and art galleries were built in every major town and many minor ones, often founded by a new breed of philanthropist. Seaside towns were no longer the preserve of the rich, and places like Great Yarmouth and Blackpool developed as popular resorts for the working classes.