1.Gender Roles: Victorian patriarchal ideas still largely shaped gender roles. Men were expected to be the breadwinners, while women predominantly focused on domestic responsibilities.
2.Home Entertainment: Entertainment options were limited compared to today. Families gathered around the piano or enjoyed board games. Radios were becoming more common but were still a luxury.
3.Technology in the Home: Electricity and indoor plumbing were not yet ubiquitous, especially in rural areas. Kerosene lamps and coal-fired stoves were widely used.
4.Domestic Duties: Housewives faced physically demanding chores, including hand washing laundry, preparing meals on coal or wood-fired cookers, and cleaning without the convenience of modern appliances.
5.Fashion: Women wore corsets, long dresses, and elaborate hairstyles. Men typically wore suits, ties, and hats.
6.Communication: Telephone usage increased, primarily for business purposes, but most communication was through face-to-face interactions or written letters.
7.Family Dynamics: Larger families were the norm, often with multiple generations under one roof, due to limited transportation options and higher mortality rates.
8.Health and Sanitation: Medical advancements were limited, and infectious diseases were common. Sanitations practices, such as frequent hand washing and proper food storage, were essential for health.
9.Social Norms: Social etiquette was strictly observed. Public displays of affection were considered inappropriate.
10.Transportation: Horse-drawn carriages and bicycles were common forms of transportation, while automobiles were still in their early stages of adoption.
11.Food Preservation: Storing food presented challenges, as refrigeration was not widely accessible to the masses. Canning and preservation methods were used to ensure food availability throughout the year.
Remember that life experiences in 1914 varied widely depending on social status, geographic location, and economic background. The years that followed witnessed significant changes, including the widespread impact of World War I, which greatly influenced home life and society as a whole.