1. Men, Women and Family in theMen, Women and Family in the
CityCity

Eighteenth- century London encouraged a newEighteenth- century London encouraged a new
spirit of individualism among men and women.spirit of individualism among men and women.
Women lost their industrial jobs and conservativeWomen lost their industrial jobs and conservative
people rallied against their presence in publicpeople rallied against their presence in public
spaces. They were forced to withdraw into theirspaces. They were forced to withdraw into their
homes. Public space was supposed to be meanthomes. Public space was supposed to be meant
for men and women belonged in the domesticfor men and women belonged in the domestic
sphere.sphere.

Political movements such as Chartism (aPolitical movements such as Chartism (a
movement demanding the vote for all adult males)movement demanding the vote for all adult males)
and the 10- hour movement (limiting hours ofand the 10- hour movement (limiting hours of
work in factories), mobilized large numbers ofwork in factories), mobilized large numbers of
men.men.

Gradually, women fought for their right to voteGradually, women fought for their right to vote

2. Changes in the Twentieth Century

By the twentieth century, the urban family had
been transformed yet again, part by the
experience of the valuable wartime work done by
women, who were employed in large numbers to
meet war demands. The family now consisted of
much smaller units

Above all, the family became the heart of a new
market- of goods and services, and ideas. The
new industrial city provided opportunities for
mass work, but it also raised the problem of
mass leisure on Sundays and other common
holidays