How were the lives of different classes of British women affected by the industrial revolution?

The industrial revolution brought a change in the lives of different classes of British women.

1. Earlier women and children were involved in household work with their families.

2. Women in villages went on to work in farms or engaged themselves in cattle rearing, animal husbandry and weaving with the help of spin yarn at their homes.

3. Later on, with the advent of industries, women were employed in factories.

4. They were expected to follow strict discipline and defaulters were punished severely.

5. Even though they worked on par with men, they earned only meager wages.

6. Many women were employed in the textile industries of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

7. They underwent humiliation to earn wages to support their family.

8. But they were financially independent.

Thus, the industrial revolution generated employment opportunities coupled with exploitation for women.