Final answer:
Working outside the home was both positive and negative for Lowell factory women. They had wage opportunities and solidarity, but also faced poor working conditions and low pay compared to men.
Step-by-step explanation:
Working outside the home was both a positive and negative experience for Lowell factory women. On the positive side, factory work provided young women with wage opportunities and a sense of solidarity. They had a chance to earn money of their own, which was liberating and allowed them to purchase consumer goods for themselves. On the negative side, the working conditions in the factories were dismal, with long hours, hot and noisy environments, and low pay compared to men. Additionally, some women experienced sexual harassment from male employers or coworkers.