Poverty in the late Victorian Era

Poverty in the late Victorian Era

Attitudes towards poverty in the late Victorian Era:

·         Poverty was often blamed on the individual.

·         A popular point of view at the time was that poverty was caused by idleness, drunkenness and other such moral weaknesses on the part of the working classes. The poor were seen by the wealthy as an unfortunate but inevitable part of society.

·         Politicians believed that people were responsible for their own welfare and that they should work hard and save for their old age. The governmental policy was laisse-faire.

·         The only way to get up if you were poor was to enter the workhouse. Conditions in the workhouse were poor to discourage people from seeking help. 

·         Charities to…