What were the Victorian girls like?

Answer 1

This is a very broad question. But generally even working class were a much higher standard of well bred compared to today. Whilst finishing school are a thing of the past now or only for the very rich (or snobby), it was pretty much a given that back then the mother or grandmother would act as a teacher to finishing school. You would be brought up well mannered, submissive, expert in sewing, reading, playing the piano, writing or painting. Though cooking and cleaning was seldom as servants were often available to do this. Your goal i think (depending on your parents) but generally was to find a rich man, remain chaste and marry him. But not too above your social status. In all Victorian literature the level of class and accepting social level is evident, such as Emma by Jane Austen. Harriet wants to marry Mr Martin, a humble farmer and socially acceptable for her, but Emma (upper class) is deluded and wants Harriet to marry abover her class to the Village Victor, only to find out that actually Mr Elton thinks himself too good for Harriet and actually wants Emma. See how complicated social levels get?

I have no doubt in my mind that young girls were similiarly horny, hormonal, moody and annoying to modern day women, but you have to think generally. They were so much more family orientated so it was just completely unacceptable to talk to your parents about sex. You would not not not have brought a boyfriend back, let alone sleep round his house. You would not be left alone with the boy let alone long enough to form an attachment without parental consent. Obviously it happened, but it happened so much less as the Victorians had this good old thing called "shame". Which has sadly been lost. So you can yell at your parents, sleep round your boyfriends and have a vast number of sexual partners which some call liberating, but which would have never happened then as your whole family would have been shamed if you had been frivilous in this way.

I feel i am just ranting now, please question my answer if it is not what you were looking for. Or please be more specific.