Angels in the Household

Definition

"Angels in the Household" was a term used during the Victorian era to describe middle-class women whose primary role was to maintain their homes, care for their families, and embody traditional virtues such as piety and purity. They were expected to be submissive and devoted solely to domestic duties.

Related terms

Victorian Era: Refers to the period of Queen Victoria's reign (1837-1901) when strict social norms dictated gender roles and behavior.

Cult of Domesticity: A cultural ideology during the Victorian era that idealized women's roles as homemakers responsible for nurturing their families' moral character.

Patriarchy: A social system where men hold power over women in both family life and society at large.