Sociology

Outline the conditions of the workhouse in 19th century Britain following the passing of the ‘new’ Victorian Poor Law and explain how they reflected dominant views and attitudes about the poor and the causes of poverty in that period

The workhouse was a place where people who were poor lived. They earned their keep by carrying out jobs within the workhouse. They were built to decrease the population of property. These people were called the 'undeserving poor' by the rich people, they thought the reason behind them being poor was due to laziness. There were all categories of people who lived in the workhouse, orphaned children, unmarried mothers, elderly, those who were mentally or physically ill or abandoned children. Those

The poor usually went to the workhouse when no other option was available for them or when they couldn't provide from themselves.

“the necessary relief of the lame, impotent, old, blind and such other being poor and not able to work”.

The families who lived there men and women were separated and only got to see each other for a small period of time or on Sundays and if they spoke a word to each other while in the workhouse out of these hours they would be punished. married couples were kept apart so they could not 'breed'. Women, Men and Children all had different work and living areas. Children who lived at the workhouse received education, however they did not get educated on the 2 most important skills :- reading and writing, which were important in finding a good job. The physically, mentally ill, or the old and unfit were all kept together with no leisure activity or entertainment. Those who could not work while in the workhouse, they sat and did nothing the entire day.