Middle/Upper Class Victorian Child - 1876 Victorian England (2024)

Gender differences were more pronounced in the upper class families. Victorians placed men in the "public sphere" and women at home. Men were looked upon as being stronger, more intelligent, aggressive and independent, while women were viewed as weak and emotional, nurturing and dependent. Education was different for a boy right from the start and boys went through stages in becoming a man. Boys and girls wore the same clothing until they were four or five and then the boys were switched to pants instead of dresses. A boy would receive his education from a tutor and then sent to boarding school, while a girl remained home with her studies concentrated on the domestics of a Victorian household.

Boys started school around the age of seven and continued into their early 20s graduating from the university. Some went to day schools while others went to boarding schools or received their education at home from tutors. There was less pressure for girls to receive an education so while some did go to day and boarding schools, their curriculum was significantly less business or science oriented.

The top boys schools during the period were Charterhouse, Eton, Harrow, Rugby, Sto Paul's and Winchester. Marlborough and Cheltenham also received high acclaim. Boys from noble and gentry families were sent here, yet it was mostly from the landed class that was predominantly enrolled.⁷

Middle-class boys typically went to local secondary schools where the curriculum revolved around math and science. At the age of 16, many would leave to enter the business world or a profession. Conditions at these schools was not always the best and often ruled by bullies. The student's competence was based on passing a yearly exam moving them into the next class or level. Thomas Arnold of Rugby felt it important that a boy be educated as to character rather than intellect and argued that part of the curriculum should include religion and how to behave as a gentleman.⁸

When it came to discipline, there was discipline outside of class and discipline within the class. Outside of class it was the athletes who would be considered as the "disciplinaries" and the most popular. Hazing was part of the boys showing each other who was "superior". In the classroom, it was the teacher who provided the discipline and caning was the accepted practice. Caning was the routine for punishment, however, some of the schoolmasters were out and out abusive with them punishing the boys for no apparent reason.⁹

Child and Middle/Upper Class Family

Child and Middle/Upper Class Family, p2

Child and Middle/Upper Class Family, p3

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