Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society cover image

Illegitimacy: Sex & Secrecy in the 18th Century

Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

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The Shift in Attitudes Towards Illegitimacy: From Understanding to Blame

This chapter explores the evolution of societal perceptions of illegitimacy from the 18th to the 19th century, particularly after the 1834 welfare reform. It highlights the shift toward blaming mothers for illegitimate births and the rise of the 'fallen woman' trope, revealing the challenges faced by unmarried mothers in Victorian society.

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