Who Were the Real Oliver Twists?

Childhood Poverty in Victorian London

von Lynn Hamilton

232 Seiten, Hardcover

Kurzbeschreibung des Verlags

Nineteenth century laws and social institutions entirely failed to protect children born to poor and unstable families in Victorian London and other English cities.Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist exposed a brutal but commonplace system of child exploitation to Victorian readers. Conditions in workhouses, factories, and child criminal gangs posed lethal and daily hazards to children born to poverty. Several much-needed reforms took place in the aftermath of Oliver Twist's publication. But what were the circumstances of childhood poverty in Victorian London and other English cities? And who were the real Oliver Twists?This book explores how nineteenth century laws and social institutions entirely failed to protect children born to poor and unstable families. Despite a horrible labyrinth of ten-hour workdays, illegal indentures, and forced emigration, however, many children overcame terrible prospects and thrived. Some of these remarkable stories of childhood resilience, innovation, and enterprise have been lost to the general reader. This book brings those stories back to light.

• Themen: Gesellschaft und Sozialwissenschaften Soziale Dienste und Sozialwesen, Kriminologie Sozialwesen, Sozialpolitik und soziale Dienste Sozialwesen und Sozialsysteme Kinder- und Jugendhilfe
• ISBN: 9781399054546
• Sprache: Englisch
• Erscheinungsdatum: 02.07.2024
• Größe: 236 x 157 mm
• Verlag: Pen & Sword Books