Abstract

The proposed article investigates the specifics of social status of urban female domestic servants in post-reform Russia. On the basis of a wide range of sources, including statistical materials, printed press, household manuals and ego-documents, the author distinguishes between two groups in this category of population that were fundamentally different in their status in the master’s family. In the post-reform period in Russia, the work of maidservants was not standardized, there were no guarantees from hirers regarding both working conditions and cases of dismissal and disability. Widespread sexual harassment and abuse seriously worsened the position of maidservants. A significant influx of peasant girls, who considered themselves fully prepared for the work of domestic servants, into the city, created a gigantic supply At the same time, the overwhelming majority of the job seekers did not have any idea about the activities that they were to carry out. Making endless blunders, the clumsy peasant girl acquired professional skills and learned to live in the master’s family, suffering insults and harassment and working hard only to avoid being kicked out. As a result, those girls who had been able to endure several years of torment, acquired not only professional skills, but were trained to live in the city, to use their position to earn money, to protect themselves from encroachment, or to use their attractiveness as a weapon. With the growth of education of female peasant youth, their increasing familiarity with judicial institutions, and the intensification of the activities of various organizations involved in helping those women with education and employment, female domestic servants felt more secure and ready to defend their rights. As a result, despite the seemingly gigantic supply, it was, in fact, extremely difficult to find a suitable maidservant for the household. The choice available to the owners was limited to two options - a docile slouch, or a maid knowing her worth and requiring consideration of her interests.

Highlights

  • In the second half of the 19th century, amid its large-scale modernization processes, Russia saw a significant increase in the proportion of women forced to leave the sphere of household production and start independently seeking out livelihoods by becoming hired workers

  • The proposed article investigates the specifics of social status of urban female domestic servants in post-reform Russia

  • A significant influx of peasant girls, who considered themselves fully prepared for the work of domestic servants, into the city, created a gigantic supply At the same time, the overwhelming majority of the job seekers did not have any idea about the activities that they were to carry out

Read more

Summary

Introduction

In the second half of the 19th century, amid its large-scale modernization processes, Russia saw a significant increase in the proportion of women forced to leave the sphere of household production and start independently seeking out livelihoods by becoming hired workers. В предлагаемой статье анализу подвергается статус женской домашней прислуги, предполагавший не только ее крайне бесправное положение в хозяйском доме, но и при определенных обстоятельствах, связанных как с личными качествами конкретных людей, так и с объективными, вызванными реалиями пореформенной России условиями, прямо противоположное положение.

Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call