Final answer:
a) The taxes are extremely high and severe.
The notion that the Lowell Mill Girls had to contend with extremely high taxes, severe class inequalities, or rampant immoral behavior by men is incorrect. Instead, they faced long work hours, strict supervision, and low wages but also had opportunities for cultural and social activities provided by the mill, which offered an alternative to farm life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Lowell Mill Girls did not have several disadvantages on their side, such as taxes being extremely high and severe, lower class citizens not being treated the same as people of higher classes, or men acting immorally by injuring others for no reason. Instead, the Lowell Mill Girls, who worked at the mills operated by the Boston Manufacturing Company in the early 19th century, faced long hours, strict discipline, and low wages.
They lived in company-owned boarding houses and had their behavior closely monitored. While they were paid less than men, the employment at the mills did provide young women an opportunity to leave the farm life behind with socially acceptable employment.
They had the advantage of being provided with 'wholesome' activities like concerts, dances, church services, classes, and lectures, and the presence of chaperones to help protect their reputation. However, increasingly, workers were Irish immigrants willing to work for low pay, which added to the labor competition and challenges faced by the mill girls. Despite the difficult conditions, they were part of an early labor movement, organizing strikes and forming associations like the Lowell Factory Girls Association to protest working conditions and pay.