While the 19th century was filled with decadence for some, it was less so for others. Many families could barely scrape a few pennies together for a meal. With growing industries and a struggling working class, the nation sadly turned to its children for help, sending countless poor kids down to coal mines and chimneys.
Their small bodies could easily maneuver around tight spaces, but of course, this was extremely dangerous, and kids would be slogging away in coal and soot-saturated air for 12 to 18 hours a day. Thankfully in 1891, the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children was formed, offering some protection to child laborers, but society had a long way to go.
School's Out
Back in the good old days, education wasn't exactly a top concern. Kids had more important things to do, like earning a living! Who needs to know how to read and write when you can be a pint-sized chimney sweep, right? Sure, there were some fancy-pants church schools that were supposedly "free," but let's be real, most poor families needed every penny they could scrape together.
Meanwhile, the rich folks were sending their snobby offspring to prestigious institutions where they learned fancy stuff like Latin and Greek. Talk about priorities! Thankfully, someone in the government finally woke up from their afternoon tea-induced slumber and decided to make education compulsory for all kids under 13.
The Tattoo Craze
Tattoos!? One might never guess we're talking about the 1800s. But don't let those prim and proper ladies and gentlemen fool you. Tattoos were rather trendy throughout the Victorian era, especially among nobility and royals. Though the late Queen Elizabeth and the gang wouldn't be caught dead tatted up, back then, they felt rather differently.
It all started when Queen Victoria’s son, the Prince of Wales, visited Jerusalem and spotted the inky trend on his travels. He loved it so much that he decided to get one of his own. On his return, he sparked a trend. If the Prince of Wales had Instagram, he would be one heck of a social media influencer.
Unique Face Masks
Oh, the lengths people would go to for beauty! The 19th century sure had its fair share of peculiar practices. Picture this: women with raw slices of beef slapped on their faces like some bizarre carnivorous face mask. Who needs fancy serums and creams when you've got a juicy slab of meat, right? They believed that this meaty concoction would banish wrinkles and keep their skin looking as fresh as a butcher's display.
But let's be real, the only preservation happening there was the potential for a midnight snack if hunger struck during the beauty ritual. Thankfully, we've come a long way since then, opting for a more sensible skincare routine or going under the knife.
Gender Nonconforming Babies
Ah, the fashion rules of yesteryear! The Victorians had their own unique way of determining what babies should wear, and it was quite a sight to behold. Forget about pink and blue; it was all about the frills and lace. Little boys and girls alike were decked out in delicate dresses, complete with ruffles and bows that could rival even the most extravagant wedding gown. The wealthier the family, the more lavish the dress, as if they were competing in a baby fashion show.
And let's not forget the crowning glory of the ensemble – the bonnet. Those adorable bonnets perched atop tiny heads adding an extra layer of cuteness to an already over-the-top outfit. It was a time when even the tiniest tots were dressed to impress, leaving no doubt in anyone's mind that they were indeed the most precious little darlings around.