We’ve all heard the saying, “Children should be seen and not heard.” Can you guess where it came from? Yep, you got it— the Victorian era! Back then, wealthy toddlers didn’t spend much time with their parents; nannies were in charge. Kids had to follow strict rules and be on their best behavior all the time. Being well-mannered was a big deal, and staying quiet was super important.
Luckily, people soon realized that children have important things to say too, and things changed for the better! Now, we understand the value of letting children express themselves and be active participants in conversations and decision-making processes. It’s a more inclusive and empowering approach that recognizes the unique perspectives and insights that children bring to the table.
Victorian Feminism
In the conservative Victorian era, the concept of bloomers was quite radical. Designed to cover the entire leg, even while sitting, they offered a more liberating alternative to the restrictive and voluminous skirts of the time. Some women's rights activists even pushed boundaries further by wearing bloomers as actual pants paired with shorter dresses.
Although they may appear comically oversized to contemporary eyes, in the context of 19th-century England, bloomers represented a daring departure from societal norms and embodied a symbolic shift towards greater comfort and freedom for women.
Diet Fads
During the Victorian era, an intriguing and concerning trend known as the "air diet" gained popularity among teenagers and young women. This extreme diet essentially involved fasting, often without even consuming water, as the prevailing notion was that respectable ladies should refrain from indulging in food.
Mollie Fancher, one of the well-known "fasting girls" of the era, claimed to have gone without food for an astonishing 14 years. Curiously, some of these girls, including Fancher, asserted that their prolonged fasting endowed them with special magical powers. Astonishingly, the public not only believed these claims but also eagerly embraced and perpetuated the narratives surrounding these extraordinary individuals.
The Water Closet
In the Victorian era, access to indoor water closets was a luxury that many wealthy families did not have until around 1870. The water closet's main attraction? The toilet itself! Prior to the industrial revolution, bathroom-related activities were often handled by servants using buckets, which sounds quite inconvenient for all parties involved.
One can only imagine the challenges and discomfort the servants had to manage such tasks. As a result, individuals often relied on sponge baths as a substitute for full bathing, while perfume was used to mask any lingering odors. It's a stark reminder of the stark contrast between modern conveniences and the limitations of the past.
Medical "Breakthroughs"
Medicine and science have come a long way through endless trials and errors, and we're grateful for the progress! Take an example from 1875: to prevent pneumonia, people would wrap themselves in sheets of newspaper. Can you imagine? It was believed to provide a warm and cozy sleep while warding off illness.
Oh, and don't forget the notion that cold water was the culprit behind countless ailments. Thankfully, our understanding has evolved, and we now have effective treatments and knowledge to keep us healthy. It's a reminder of how far we've come and the incredible strides made in the realm of medicine and science. Cheers to progress!