The politics of female homework : with special reference to Spitalfields 1880-1909
This thesis examines the development of female homework as a social and political issue from 1880-1909. Special attention is given to homework in Spitalfields, East London. The study examines the formation and conduct of the campaign to reform the law and preserve the 'sanctity' of the Victorian home. We focus on the role of philanthropists, social reformers, the medical profession and the Press in bringing about greater public awareness of the problem of women's homeworking; and evaluate the impact of the campaign on government policy and legislation. The thesis traces the formulation and definition of the homework problem in. four distinct but overlapping phases: as a public health issue; as a 'dangerous trade'; as a problem of Motherhood, Race and Empire; and finally of underpaid labour. The Parliamentary processes which led to the 1909 Trade Boards Act are examined. The supportive response to the legislation by The Women's Industrial Council and women trade unionists (Clementina Black and Mary MacArthur); by the militant women's suffrage campaign (the Women's Social and Political Union); and by the Press (The Lancet and The Daily News) and the Anti-Sweating League (George Cadbury, Gertrude Tuckwell et
Atkinson, Diane
Politics
The politics of female homework : with special reference to Spitalfields 1880-1909. This thesis examines the development of female homework as a social and political issue from 1880-1909. Special attention is given to homework in Spitalfields, East London. The study examines the formation and conduct of the campaign to reform the law and preserve the 'sanctity' of the Victorian home. We focus on the role of philanthropists, social reformers, the medical profession and the Press in bringing about greater public awareness of the problem of women's homeworking; and evaluate the impact of the campaign on government policy and legislation. The thesis traces the formulation and definition of the homework problem in. four distinct but overlapping phases: as a public health issue; as a 'dangerous trade'; as a problem of Motherhood, Race and Empire; and finally of underpaid labour. The Parliamentary processes which led to the 1909 Trade Boards Act are examined. The supportive response to the legislation by The Women's Industrial Council and women trade unionists (Clementina Black and Mary MacArthur); by the militant women's suffrage campaign (the Women's Social and Political Union); and by the Press (The Lancet and The Daily News) and the Anti-Sweating League (George Cadbury, Gertrude Tuckwell et
politics female special_reference examines_development female social_political issue special_attention_give east_london study_examines formation conduct campaign reform law preserve sanctity victorian home focus_role philanthropist social_reformer medical_profession press bring_great public awareness problem woman evaluate impact campaign government_policy legislation trace formulation definition problem four_distinct overlap phase public_health issue dangerous trade problem motherhood race empire finally labour parliamentary process_lead trade act examine supportive response legislation women industrial council woman trade unionist black mary militant woman_suffrage campaign women social political union press daily news anti league george