Historical and Cultural Analysis: Employment for Women in the late Victorian and Edwardian Eras - Essay Example

no. Historical Cultural Analysis It is not by chance that with the increase in female education that would also lead to rise in prominence of female employment. Something huge come to pass in the English society with the passing and adoption of the Education Act of 1871, where kindergarten schooling was offered for free to all school going children of ages between six and thirteen, elementary school was enforced in the year1881, and finally it was made free in the year 1891 (Allen et al. 79). There was the founding of colleges at Cambridge and Oxford that majorly admitted women, then there was giving way of degrees from other universities and colleges to women, something Oxbridge didn’t do until the 20th century; as well as the struggle for secondary education and the founding of girls’ high schools and public schools. As a result of these massive changes, teenage girls and women of the Edwardian period were the first creation of females to be educated in the same standards as males (Allen et al. 81). And this came at the ideal time for late Edwardian and Victorian women. By the early 1860s and 1870s; the “The Surplus Woman Issue” was the focus of the numerous lectures, pamphlets, and articles. Despite the longstanding belief that women were meant for motherhood and marriage, and the painful reality that tens of thousands and or possibly millions, of women would not be wedded because of age, poverty, lack of position, scared society, and above all shortage of suitable men, physical look (Allen et al. 95). Nonetheless, no one presented any genuine solutions besides give over one’s identity to one’s already old parents, or being a governess / caretaker of the house of one’s wedded sister or brother. Women of the 1880s opposed this unexciting existence and slowly, began to penetrate the labor force as shop attendants / shop girls, nurses, journalists, librarians, teachers, doctors, etc. Even though, there was a small piece of struggle not in favor of women “defeminizing” themselves by having a profession, the speedy transformation of technology and business made their entry much easier than in the past; for example, the development of ocean liners meant that the stewardesses were required for female passengers; the development of departmental stores over individual stores meant that female employees were required in certain departments (Allen et al. 111). The occupation that more popular above all was the typist, or type writer girl. As one with improved pay and most “well mannered” of positions, it was highly desirable professional by women (Allen et al. 111). A woman who had skills in shorthand, typing, and dictation could work as an authors’ amanuensis, a copying clerk, a personal secretary to a solicitor general, or for the administration. To furnish women with the essential skills, business classes and schools were established, and after a confirmed period of time, a student is rewarded with credentials, that confirmed to potential employers that the applicant was experienced and trained in the afore mentioned skills, as well as light book keeping skills, business arithmetic, business terms, and outline; the shortening of a document in the smallest number of possible words, without fail with accuracy and clearness (Allen et al. 115). In the Metropolitan School for Shorthand in London, Chancery Lane; charged six guineas for the entire course of training until a speed of about 120 words per minute was achieved by the student; half of the guinea is paid on a weekly basis, in which the fee is reduced to 5pn, if late afternoon classes were attended. A potential typist may perhaps also learn how to use the typewriter at the branch or main offices of the major typewriter manufacturer, and oftenly these classes were free of charge with purchase (Allen et al. 120). The salary for a secretary or typist varied based on position and experience. A typewriting and shorthand clerk could have been paid whatever thing from a beginner’s 20s. to ?3 or ?4 per week, whilst a secretary is paid from the assistant’s level of ?60 to ?300 per year. Strangely enough, these positions of replication for a solicitor or typing document were hard to get, and the renumeration was quite poor (Allen et al. 125). The most lucrative and dependable positions was found when working for the public civil service. Some of the sections that were opened to women typists, they include the India Office, Colonial Office, Foreign Office, Customs, Inland Revenue Board of Education-England, Office of the Secretary for Scotland, , War Office that include Royal Army Clothing Depot and Treasury. To be a typist in the Government department, it was essential for a woman to be between the ages of 16 and 35, be widowed or unmarried, and duly experienced in respect of character and health; a naturalized British citizen or subject, and at least six feet in height without shoes or boots. The employment examination included “spelling, writing, copying manuscript, English composition, arithmetic the first four rules, compound and simple, including English measures and reduction, and weights; typewriting; if required by the section by which the candidate has been designated, and they were required to pass all topics in shorthand (Allen et al. 130). Nevertheless, domestic service still continued to dominate women’s’ employment, the specialized class of women were formidable and solid. For the first time ever, likely ever in times gone by, women did and could find work away from home during which they could support themselves financially. Approved, the problem of unfair pay between female and male employees still exists until today but in the late Edwardian and Victorian time, extra women were no longer mild mannered, pathetic creatures to be empathized with: they were resilient and independent women who went ahead with an individual path in spite of what the society order. And for women like Gwen, the typewriter was an equipment of remarkable change in social order (Allen et al. 130). One of the most exciting scenes in The Typewriter Girl was to see Gwen start working as tour manager (Allen et al. 131). She embodied the untold stories of smart and young women of her age, who only required to be given the chance to essentially do a job that could exploit her brains. Gwen promptly devised ways that she would make the tour operations more lucrative; however, these put her into conflict with Sir Alton. John supported her and so did Tobias Seiler, the wise and kind hotel director who acted as a counselor to Gwen. The book The Typewriter Girl overflows with well-nuanced and interesting typeset. that Gwen, worth rooting for and compelling; however, so are Gwen’s friends put together including Sarah, the proprietor of the boarding house where Gwen gets a home and Charlie Sarah’s teenage son, who had a crush on Gwen (Allen et al. 131). Despite the book revolving around many life stories, the main concern of the power of employment in women is seen when all bad character including Sir Alton D., who is not described in stark black but rather in gray sunglasses, tries to kill some of these women’s dreams, but such dreams are seen to prosper amid such challenges. Therefore, in line with power of education and employability of women, the book portrays that increased female education led to increased female employment especially in the era of the book and afterwards (Allen et al. 147). However, their belittling has remained a fair challenge to women even to the most educated. While domestic work still keeps on to be the major source of employment for women, the trained classes of women were formidable and solid. For the first time, in history, women were able to find work outside home through which they could support themselves. However, there has been approved issue of imbalanced pay between female and male employees exists until this day, but in the late Victorian and Edwardian eras, “extra women”, there were resilient and self-sufficient women who forged an individual path in spite of society’s dictates. Moreover, for the women such as Gwen the typewriter girl was an instrument of dramatic social change Each chapter of the book begins with a brief opening verse from How to Become an Expert in Typewriting, was a real book that was published in 1891. The quotes are cleverly relevant to the on goings story and at times ironically entertaining. Some of the memorable quotes that support the theme include: None but only clean fingers are allowed to touch the edge of the paper. Alas! That it is essential to note some things (Allen et al. 152). Sit in an comfortable and erect position close to the machine (Allen et al. 164). Means that people should ever know right places and positions to execute the mandates. Never fail to use Esq., Mr. or some other title when addressing a gentleman (Allen et al. 167). Employees should ever maintain their position with the chain of command. Work Cited Allen, Grant, and Clarissa J. Suranyi.The Type-Writer Girl. Peterborough [u.a.: Broadview Press, 2004. Print. Read More