How were illegitimate children treated in the Victorian era?

My readings seem to indicate that * An affair, as understood today, is not the right word. The baronet would simply use the maid for sexual gratification. read more

Even then a actress or other woman was more likely for these classes. Or more common sort of illegitimacy would be from prostitution but no one would know who the father was then. In the lower classes cohabiting but not marrying was one reason for illegitimacy. That was about 5%, according to rolls. Their children were illegitimate. read more

A large number of children in the Victorian era were arrested and sentenced as adults for crimes ranging from petty theft to lying. There are records of children as young as 12 being hanged for their crimes during that time period. read more