Humanity In The Victorian Age
The Victorian Era, the years of Queen Victoria’s reign: 1837-1901 were the years that many changes began to occur. With many changing attitudes towards religion, social values and ones-self came a transition that was for the best.
The Age of Enlightenment was where people of Britain questioned traditional authority and embraced the notion that humanity could be improved through rational change. The outcome of this was new inventions, scientific discoveries, laws, wars and revolutions.
Views on sexuality were changing as well. In the mid-to-late 19th century, thoughts of sex were shamed upon, especially in women, as they were seen to have little knowledge or desire for sex, and sex between anyone other than a man and a woman was punishable
by death. A woman’s role was to service their husbands, and care for children. Having a sexual desire was identified with men and women of the lower classes. In some cases, doctors thought that women had no sex drive, and if a woman did express sexual desire, their organs could be removed.
In 1828, buggery was punishable by death, but by 1861 (33 years later) this law was abolished. This is evidence of change in society, and this law began the change of how homosexuality was perceived throughout this era.
This era was a change for females, in that the act of a Women’s Suffragette Committee was formed in London, 1866. This was the movement that began women’s right to vote. Only in 1928, (62 years later) did the law allow everyone over the age of 21 to vote.
This era began great modification for the life of society, in that equality of gender was established and possibly changed the world, as we know it today. Our lives today are what they are only because of the change in how this society wanted to live.
The Age of Enlightenment was where people of Britain questioned traditional authority and embraced the notion that humanity could be improved through rational change. The outcome of this was new inventions, scientific discoveries, laws, wars and revolutions.
Views on sexuality were changing as well. In the mid-to-late 19th century, thoughts of sex were shamed upon, especially in women, as they were seen to have little knowledge or desire for sex, and sex between anyone other than a man and a woman was punishable
by death. A woman’s role was to service their husbands, and care for children. Having a sexual desire was identified with men and women of the lower classes. In some cases, doctors thought that women had no sex drive, and if a woman did express sexual desire, their organs could be removed.
In 1828, buggery was punishable by death, but by 1861 (33 years later) this law was abolished. This is evidence of change in society, and this law began the change of how homosexuality was perceived throughout this era.
This era was a change for females, in that the act of a Women’s Suffragette Committee was formed in London, 1866. This was the movement that began women’s right to vote. Only in 1928, (62 years later) did the law allow everyone over the age of 21 to vote.
This era began great modification for the life of society, in that equality of gender was established and possibly changed the world, as we know it today. Our lives today are what they are only because of the change in how this society wanted to live.