Domestic Violence in Victorian England :: Victorian Era

Domestic Violence in prim EnglandWife get the better of was a prominent occurrence in blue(a) measure. It is socially acceptable and may be seen as a characteristic of the dismantle classes, but wife beating is prevalent in all classes. In William Montagus social investigation Round London Down East and Up West, he tells of wo hands in the infirmary Sometimes as many as twelve or fourteen women may be seen seated in the receiving-room, waiting for their bruised and bleeding faces and bodies to be go to to In nine cases out of ten the injuries have been inflicted by brutal and perhaps drunken husbands (Montagu). Many incidents of domestic violence in Victorian times are influenced by alcohol. But wife beating is present in all classes, not just the lower classes as Montagu portrays. Caroline Norton, a Victorian author in mid nineteenth century England, commonly writes of her husbands continuous wife-beating. Her husband being a member of parliament is obviously not lower class. Yet she writes of his physical violence towards her and how the servants restrain him from inflicting serious damage (Norton 1). Sir Pitt similarly beats his wife also even though he is considered upper class.The word Spousal Abuse discusses that Victorian perception of trust, domestic principles, and laws allows men to justify wife-beating. Domestic violence during Victorian times is mainly attributed to the idea that the man is the formula in all worlds. The mans responsibility of being a protector is the main idea in contributing to domestic violence.In the orbital cavity of religion the emphasis of religious based subordination suggested that, for a woman to be virtuous and serve God, she must follow the lead of her husband this gave men the impression that they had a God given right to control their wives, even if this mean through the use of physical correction (Nolte 1). Due to the fact that religion is claimed to be an important Victorian ideal, men believe that for w omen to lead a virtuous life, she must follow the wishes of her husband. Even if these wishes allow her to be beat.Domestic principles of Victorian England also promoted the dominance of men. The husband was the supreme being in the house and it was a husbands duty to protect his wife this authority also allowed for him to use violence, if necessary, in order to keep her in line (Nolte 3). Caroline Norton gave evidence of this when she disagreed with her husband upon the actions of another lady.