o Father was head of the family o His wife and children respected him and obeyed him o Until 1882 all a woman's property, even the money she earned, belonged to her husband o Divorce was made legal in 1857 but it was very rare in the 19th century o Families were much larger than today. This was mostly because death of infants during birth was more likely o People had many children and accepted that not all of them would survive.

Living Conditions Miners with big families and some friends lived in granite or cob cottages possessing only two or three rooms. In 1861, many lodgers employed in the mining industry were accommodated in the houses of fellow miners. Some occupied cottages on farmlands and had access to a few acres of land, some in rows of cottages which might have gardens where food for the table could be grown. The majority lived in towns which held gardens that were either small or replaced by courtyards offering little opportunity of giving the family with garden produce.

Living Conditions Cont. The sleeping arrangements in many cottages were often complicated. Sometimes several children were sleeping in one bed. There wasn’t any indoor water supply or bathroom, the bathroom being an earth closet outside, and the only heat that from an open fire or an iron made Cornish range. Housing big families in damp overcrowded cottages with a lack of adequate sanitation meant a daily struggle to maintain standards of respectability, a challenge for even the most creative housewife.

Living Conditions Cont. Small businessmen, entrepreneurs and mine captains were able to rent or purchase a more spacious residence. Some would even boast about the luxury inventions of the modern industrial age. Upward social mobility meant that new money was able to move to more attractive areas of towns and villages. The landed classes, many of whom made huge fortunes form the mining industry, were keen to reflect their success and status. During the expansive period of industrialization many new estates were built.

Their Family to Ours 19 th Century Family Father is head of the house. All wife’s money and objects belonged to husband. Divorce was unheard of in a social environment. Wife and Children were forced to listen to the Father/Husband. Families were bigger due to infant mortality rates. 21 st Century Family Both parents run the household. Possessions belonged to the one who had it before marriage. Divorce is very common nowadays. Household is now more of a Parliament. Children have to listen to parents. Families are smaller now that mortality of infants are less common.

Education for Children in the 19 th Century In the early 19th century the churches provided schools for poor children. From 1833 the government provided them with grants. There were also dame schools. They were run by women who taught a little reading, writing and arithmetic. However many dame schools were really a baby sitting service. The state did not take responsibility for education until Forsters Education Act said that schools should be provided for all children. If there were not enough places in existing schools then board schools were built. In 1880 school was made compulsory for 5-10 year olds. However school was not free, except for the poorest children until 1891 when fees were abolished.

Education for Children in the 19 th Century From 1899 children were required to go to school until they were 12. Girls from upper class families were taught by a governess. Boys were often sent to public schools like Eaton. Middle class boys went to grammar schools. Middle class girls went to private schools were they were taught skills such as music and sewing. Discipline in Victorian schools was savage. Beatings were common although in the 19th century the cane generally replaced the birch. Children who were struggling with their lessons were humiliated by being forced to wear a cap with the word 'dunce' on it.

Education System 19 th Century Very strict and came with a fee unless extremely poor Children were beaten or were made to wear a ‘Dunce’ cap if they struggled with their lessons Simple math, reading, english, science, and social skills were provided 20 th Century No fee for a public educations and more lenient on unfortunate children Beatings are banned from schools and help is provided for children who struggle An array of different difficulties are provided in each core class (science, math, english, reading, and social skills)