Final answer:
Women in the old west had more rights than in the east due to a combination of social and economic factors. Prostitution offered economic opportunities for some women, often paying better than other available jobs. Middle-class women became involved in reform movements to address societal ills and promote family values.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the old west era, women had comparatively more rights in the west than in the east due to the social and economic conditions of the western frontier. These conditions included a lack of societal restrictions and the need for all available hands to contribute to family and community survival. Regarding the question of why a woman might choose to become a prostitute in the old west, economic opportunities (a) would be the primary factor. The harsh economic and legal environment for unmarried poor women sometimes made prostitution one of the few available means to achieve economic independence, as it paid better and required less work than trades like factory work or being a domestic servant. Additionally, there were legal reforms (c) and a lack of societal restrictions (d) that allowed spaces like brothels to exist and operate, even as reform movements began to emerge among middle-class women aiming to combat vices and promote family values.