Women and the Industrial Revolution
I can explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the role of women in society.
Women and the Industrial Revolution
I can explain the impact of the Industrial Revolution on the role of women in society.
Lesson details
Key learning points
- Changes to the way people worked during the Industrial Revolution created new opportunities and challenges for women.
- In the 19th century, married women were expected to stay home to raise children and look after their husbands.
- Legislation was passed during the 19th century that limited working opportunities for women.
- By the end of the 19th century, there was a divide between work considered suitable for men and for women.
- The growth of professions like nursing and teaching created new opportunities for some women.
Keywords
Industrial Revolution - the Industrial Revolution was a period of great change during which improvements in technology changed how people lived and worked
Middle class - in this context, the term middle class is used to describe people who earn a living from professional jobs that require an education
Working class - in this context, the term working class is used to describe people who earn a living from carrying out manual labour e.g. in factories
Legislation - a law or set of laws passed by Parliament is known as legislation
Common misconception
The majority of women worked in factories throughout this period.
The work women did and whether they worked at all was largely determined by class. From the mid-19th century, legislation placed restrictions on the type and amount of work women were able to do and the number of women working in factories decreased.
Content guidance
- Depiction or discussion of discriminatory behaviour
Supervision
Adult supervision recommended
Licence
This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2024), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).
Lesson video
Loading...
Starter quiz
6 Questions
Exit quiz
6 Questions
people who earn a living from professional jobs that require education
people who earn a living from carrying out manual labour
people who own land, have titles and may be wealthy enough not to work