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Population Policy in Early Victorian England

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  • Warren C. Robinson

    (The Pennsylvania State University
    Economic Research Associates)

Abstract

This paper argues that the generally-held belief that there was no population policy in Great Britain during its fertility transition is incorrect. There were, in fact, clear and implicit and explicit policies in place by the early 19th Century which aimed at reducing population growth. These were negative, involving elimination of family allowances (the famous Poor Laws), and also positive, through subsidised emigration and ``transportation'' of felons to the colonies. Moreover, a changed ``ideation'' on the part of the nation's political, intellectual and spiritual leaders, changed norms about marriage and child-bearing, raising sharply the perceived economic and psychic cost of children. Lacking acceptable means to control pregnancies, many working class women resorted to abortion, infanticide and child abandonment to reduce their family size. The policy's actual impact on overall fertility is uncertain but it did constitute a deliberate attempt by society to affect demographic behaviour and outcomes.

Suggested Citation

  • Warren C. Robinson, 2002. "Population Policy in Early Victorian England," European Journal of Population, Springer;European Association for Population Studies, vol. 18(2), pages 153-173, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:eurpop:v:18:y:2002:i:2:d:10.1023_a:1015511805628
    DOI: 10.1023/A:1015511805628
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. J. T. Krause, 1958. "Changes In English Fertility And Mortality, 1781–1850," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 11(1), pages 52-70, August.
    6. Blaug, Mark, 1964. "The Poor Law Report Reexamined," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 24(2), pages 229-245, June.
    7. E. A. Wrigley, 1966. "Family Limitation in Pre-Industrial England," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 19(1), pages 82-109, April.
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