The Victorian era saw a rigid social hierarchy divided into upper, middle, and working classes. The working class endured long work days, poor living conditions, and little leisure time. Reforms aimed to improve education, working conditions, and close gaps between classes. Courtship rules varied by class, with the upper class holding elaborate social events and the lower classes socializing mainly at church. Gentility and etiquette dictated proper behavior. Entertainment also differed, with the working class having little leisure while the upper classes read, socialized, and participated in various activities.

1. THE VICTORIAN ERA
ocial Structure
eforms
ourtship

2. Social Structure

3. Social Classes
orking Class – physical labor
iddle Class – performed clean work
pper Class – did not have to work

4. Working Class
oor living and working conditions
id not follow rules of courtship
id not participate in social entertainment

5. Working Class Conditions
orking conditions:
• Workers included women and children
• Long work days
• Poor nutrition and health
Living conditions:
• Often over crowded
• Poorly ventilated
• No sewage or drainage systems

6. Jobs for the Working Class
Women did all their own housework then had to
go do chores for more privileged women
Men in this class held jobs for the unskilled
Children even had to work to help support the
family in textile mills and factories

7. Reforms
ducation reforms
• Moving to provide education
for more than just the privileged
Factory reforms
• Working to get children out of the factories and
provide better conditions
Political reforms
• Worked to close the huge gap between the
classes

8. Middle Class
Only men provided the income
Consisted of bankers, shopkeepers, merchants,
engineers, other professionals

9. Upper Class
Wealth came from inherited land or investments
Included people from the church and of
nobility

10. Courtship
Rules varied based upon class
Courtship advanced by gradations
Lower classes had opportunities to socialize at
church and during holiday season
Upper class held their own social events
throughout the season

11. Courtship
Gentility

12. Being a Lady
Only women of the upper
and middle class have a
coming out
Completed education signified
availability for marriage
A girl’s introduction into social life
Must follow rules a strict set of rules
• Outward appearance
• Social behavior

13. Being a Gentleman
Had to follow rules for
introductions
Duty is always to his lady
Followed etiquette for dinner
parties

14. Entertainment
Several popular forms
of entertainment varied
by socioeconomic class
All could enjoy the arts except those of the
working class
Class distinction was evident in the type of
dancing
Middle and upper class read and studied
society novels

15. Women’s Entertainment
Women of higher class joined various
social groups
Limited to specific sports they could play
Towards the end of the era, women’s
sports expanded

16. Men’s Entertainment
Men joined various social groups and societies
Card games and gambling became popular among
the males
Well-bred men would frequent pleasure gardens