Essay: Masculinity in the Victorian era

The transition from a boy to a man is one of the most crucial events in the life of a male. An ordering of precise stages defines the progress from the youth to the manhood of the middle-class boy. When a male is young, he wears petticoats like his sisters, but when he is around six years old the child starts to realize that he is a male. Around that time, boys transition from the constriction of the petticoats to breaches or trousers which allowed their horizons to expand. This freedom allowed engagement in rougher play with other boys which toughens up their emotions. Adolescence was not recognized in the transition from a boy to a man, and their teachers wanted them to move quickly through the final stages leading up to manhood (Tosh). The transition from a boy to a man clearly distinguishes them from their female counterparts and strengthens their masculinity.
Education is a major step in a boy’s preparation for life outside of their family homes. Once the age of six or seven, boys leave home for school which was better preparation for life experiences than home tuition (Tosh). Both private and public schools taught boys to be gentlemen and introduced them to all types of males (McKay; Tosh). School taught boys to endure competition, create a bond with his peers, and obey public authority. Most formal education for boys was ended in the mid-teens which led to training for a career (Tosh). In Victorian times, mostly male institutions were part of the adult education movement (Museum). Schooling is very important in the preparation of boys for the wide world before them.
The masculine concept of work is a very important aspect in the life of a Victorian male. Once a young man has finished school, he would be introduced into his first position at the workplace (Tosh). The Victorian labor movement was predominantly male-controlled. For example, only men were able to participate in construction, army, or Parliament; furthermore, only one-third of women worked when most men were working. Military campaigns and commercial expression were supported by the masculine values of fortitude and perseverance throughout the era. It was important that male workers were able to sustain their families, so their wives could take care of the children (Museum). Being able to provide for your family through hardships supported that the working man was respectable and successful (Appell). In Victorian times success in the workforce displayed much endeavor which earns the respect of being a very masculine role model for his peers (Appell and Museum). Earning this respect allowed a man to create a strong relationship with his family and gave him the social status which would live with his bloodline.
Masculinity in the Victorian era gave a man great privilege and power that was sometimes challenged but overwhelmingly embraced. The nineteenth century produced a patriarchal model which gave immense obdurate power and privilege to men. The concept of “outstanding male individuals” comes into view. A male is viewed as rightly superior to half of humanity just by being born male (Museum). Masculinity in the Victorian era was thought as a quality that took time to develop (Tosh). During Victorian times, heterosexuality became a major aspect in the life of a male (Landow). Masculinity was challenged during the nineteenth century; nevertheless, masculinity was embraced more than ever. Men used their progressive and defensive power to dominate all political affairs, controlling the economy of that time (Museum). The way the power of men was viewed during this time in Victorian England gave men much privilege to make changes according to their wants.
Victorian times held many expectations for the values that a man should have. Men were expected to become more connected with his conscience than his ancestors (McKay). It was viewed that men should recognize right and wrong decisions, and stay close to God by remaining honest, pure, and righteous (Appell). Just acting like a good man was not enough in Victorian times. People expected a man to be true to his beliefs and act respectably deep down. If a man accomplished this feat he was tremendously praised by his peers and was able to enjoy a clear conscience. Keeping your word and standard while no one was watching is a great test of honor for a Victorian man. Sportsmanship in the athletic arena was an important was value for a Victorian man to live by. He was expected to uphold concepts of teamwork and fairness and reprimand those defy those concepts of sportsmanship (McKay). Men were expected to use their intuition to speculate to help others and curiosity to invent new technology for the future. Positioned as great competitors and debaters in economics, a Victorian man was seen as a strong force to be respected and feared. Men were looked upon as doers, makers, and creators with energy used for war, adventure, and conquest (Museum). With the value and roles men are expected to uphold in Victorian times, they are at more risk for exposure of their flaws but are also shaped into honorable, powerful men.
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