Illegitimacy, Family, and Stigma in England, 1660-1834

Illegitimacy, Family, and Stigma explores the experiences of being illegitimate in eighteenth-century England, revealing the impact of illegitimacy across the life cycle, from childhood to adulthood. It demonstrates that the stigma of illegitimacy operated along a spectrum, varying according to parental relationship, child's race, gender, and socio-economic status.

Format: Hardback
Length: 320 pages
Publication date: 04 August 2022
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Illegitimacy, Family, and Stigma is a groundbreaking exploration of the experiences of illegitimacy in eighteenth-century England, a period marked by sexual revolution, an unprecedented surge in illegitimate births, and intense debates over children's rights to state support. Through the meticulous analysis of letters, diaries, poor relief records, and court documents, this study sheds light on the multifaceted impact of illegitimacy across the life cycle. It delves into the early years of illegitimate children, examining their relationships with parents, siblings, and the broader family as they grew up. It also explores the constraints imposed by illegitimacy on education, occupation, and marriage prospects, as well as the profound experiences of shame and stigma that individuals faced.

Historian Kate Gibson delves into the complex circumstances that shaped families' responses to illegitimacy, ranging from love and pragmatic acceptance to secrecy and exclusion. This volume challenges prevailing assumptions by revealing the stories of individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds, including children of royalty, physicians, lawyers, servants, and agricultural laborers. It demonstrates that the stigma of illegitimacy operated along a spectrum, varying based on factors such as the type of parental relationship, the child's race, gender, and socio-economic status.

Financial resources and the class-based ideals of parenthood or family life played a significant role in how families reacted to illegitimacy. Over the eighteenth century, class became increasingly important, influenced by Enlightenment ideals of tolerance, sensibility, and redemption. The child of sin was reimagined as a pitiable object of charity, but this applied only to those who could conform to narrow parameters of gen.

This comprehensive study offers a fresh perspective on the experiences of illegitimacy in a society undergoing profound social and cultural transformations. It sheds light on the complexities of family relationships, the challenges faced by individuals, and the broader societal implications of illegitimacy. By examining the words of illegitimate individuals and their families, this work contributes to our understanding of the past and the ongoing struggles related to family, identity, and social status.

Weight: 612g
Dimension: 163 x 242 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780192867247