💔The workhouse was a place of fear and dread for the poor and unemployed.
🏚️Over 16 million people passed through the workhouse gates in just over a hundred years.
🔴Poverty was stigmatized and regarded as a crime in Victorian society.
👶👩🧒Illegitimate children often faced a lifetime of social stigma and starting at the lowest rung of society.
🏫😢🏠The workhouse transformed from a punishment institution to a place of hope and social welfare.
Who were the typical inmates of the workhouse?
—The typical inmates of the workhouse were the poor, unemployed, old, young, and sick individuals who had nowhere else to turn.
Why was poverty considered a crime in Victorian society?
—Poverty was considered a crime in Victorian society because it was stigmatized and seen as a personal failing or moral weakness.
What were the consequences of being born illegitimate in the workhouse?
—Being born illegitimate in the workhouse meant facing a lifetime of social stigma and starting at the lowest rung of society.
How did the workhouse transition from punishment to social welfare?
—In the 20th century, the workhouse shifted its focus from punishment to social welfare, providing opportunities for inmates to start afresh and find hope and meaning in their lives.
How does the workhouse legacy continue to impact families today?
—Many families today have connections to the workhouse, and the stories of their ancestors reveal the harsh realities of poverty, stigma, and the struggle for survival.
00:05The workhouse was one of the hallmarks of Victorian Britain, housing the poor and unemployed.
00:26The workhouse was designed to be an experience people dreaded, but some individuals showed bravery and resilience within its walls.
03:13Illegitimate children often faced a lifetime of social stigma, starting from the lowest rung of society.
09:08Some workhouses had special uniforms for women who gave birth illegitimately, further shaming them.
12:11Many individuals, like Brian Cox's great-grandfather, Patrick McCann, became regular faces at the workhouse gates due to illness and disability.
13:38Patrick's attempts to secure care for his son, Samuel, were initially refused by the authorities.
