Popular Myths about the Workhouse
Myth 6 - Children in workhouses were never allowed to see their parents.
Although different categories of workhouse inmate (male/female, infirm/able-bodied, boys/girls) were strictly segregated, there were concessions for parents to be able to see their children. Children under seven could reside in the women's quarters and their mothers allowed access to them "at all reasonable times". The workhouse regulations stated that the father or mother of a child in the same workhouse could request a daily "interview" with them, although this seems not have have happened much. In practice, Sunday afternoon was commonly adopted as the time in the week when children could spend time with one or other of their parents, though not both at the same time.
A workhouse children's ward, 1909. © Peter Higginbotham
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