Introduction

In this book Samantha Williams examines illegitimacy, unmarried parenthood and the old and new poor laws in a period of rising illegitimacy and poor relief expenditure.

Experience of Unmarried Motherhood

In doing so, she explores the experience of being an unmarried mother from courtship and conception, through the discovery of pregnancy, and the birth of the child in lodgings or one of the new parish workhouses.

Financial Responsibilities and Challenges

Although fathers were generally held to be financially responsible for their illegitimate children, the recovery of these costs was particularly low in London, leaving the parish ratepayers to meet the cost.

Social Stigma and Punishment

Unmarried parenthood was associated with shame and men and women could also be subject to punishment, although this was generally infrequent in the capital.

Interdependence of Illegitimacy and Poor Law

Illegitimacy and the poor law were interdependent and this book charts the experience of unmarried motherhood and the making of metropolitan bastardy.