Prior to the labour reforms of the 20th Century, servants had no protection in law. The only real advantage that service provided was the provision of meals and accommodation in addition to the modest wage. Also, service was an apprentice system; there was room for advancement through the ranks. However, it was also perilous, particularly for females, as there was no protection from unscrupulous employers or members of the family. If youre looking for the TV show, see The Apprentice. ...
United Kingdom
In Britain this system peaked towards the close of the Victorian Era, perhaps reaching its most complicated and rigidly structured state during the Edwardian period, which reflected the limited social mobility of the time. Queen Victoria (shown here on the morning of her Accession to the Throne, June 20, 1837) gave her name to the historic era. ... The Edwardian period or Edwardian era in the United Kingdom is the period 1901 to 1910, the reign of King Edward VII. It is sometimes extended to include the period to the start of World War I in 1914 or even the end of the war in 1918. ... Social mobility is the degree to which, in a given society, an individuals social status may change throughout the course of his or her life. ...
Domesticservice became a distinctively female occupation in Canada during the 19th century.
Domesticservice was the most common paid employment for Canadian women before 1900: in 1891 there were nearly 80 000 women servants in Canada.
Most live-in domestics were young women who did general work in 1- or 2-servant households in urban centres or on farms; a small minority had specialized positions as part of a large staff.
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