Victorian marriage norms and family expectations in EuropeNorway

Victorian marriage norms and family expectations in Europe/Norway Madeleine Downer Language and Literature SL Block C

Rules of Marriage • Victorians were encouraged to marry within the same social classes. You were able to marry within other social classes however it was not acceptable. • Before 1823, the legal age in most European countries was 21 years for marriage for both men and women however after 1823, a male could marry as young as fourteen without parental consent, and a girl as 12. • Most women married between 18 to 23, especially in higher social classes. • It was illegal to marry your deceased wife’s sister however it was acceptable for a man to marry his first cousins. • The marriage was supposed accepted by both sides of the family, love was not an essential.

Women's Rights within Marriage • When a women within Victorian times women get married, all belongings (such as money and property) would go to the man however he was not able to sell the property off for financial gain. • Women although they were subjected to control their wealth in the late 19 th century, they could not control or engage in financial transactions.

Rules of Divorce • Divorce was not a social norm. It was not seen as acceptable for a marriage to end unless adultery was committed by the woman. • Women were able to divorce their husband however it was difficult as they had to have sustainable evidence such as abuse. • Men cheating within marriage was not frowned on as they had still taken care of their wife. However women cheating within marriage was disrespectful and unlawful to their husband. • Divorce was expensive and usually resulted in a large loss of money and property.

Family Expectations • Men where expected to make the house’s income, whereas women were expected to be home makers. • Women, depending on their class, are expected to look after their children and clean up around the house. • Women were seen to have no purpose in society and their soul ambition was to be able to support their husband bare children.

Citations • Ziegenfuss, Jen. "Marriage in the Victorian Era. " Marriage in the Victorian Era. N. p. , n. d. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. • "The Rules of Marriage in the Victorian Era. ” <http: //www. cwrl. utexas. edu/~ulrich/femhist/marriage. shtml>. • Appell, Felicia. "Victorian Ideals: The Influence of Society’s Ideals on Victorian Relationships. " Victorian Ideals. N. p. , n. d. Web. 08 Nov. 2013. • Soames, Enoch. “Marriage in the Victorian Era. ” The Charlock’s Shade. 08 Nov. 2013. 18 February 2004. <http: //thecharlocksshade. typepad. com/the_charlocks_shade/200 4/02/marriage_in_the. html> • Wells, Richard A. “Manners Culture and Dress of the Best American Society. ” King, Richardson, & Co. Publishers. 08 Nov. 2013. Springfield, MA. 1893. <http: //www. burrows. com/booknotes/wedding. html>.