Final answer:
The mill girls were required to live in closely supervised boardinghouses, worked long hours under challenging conditions, and their behaviors were strictly monitored. They faced low wages and tough working environments but also had access to some social activities provided by the mill owners.
Step-by-step explanation:
The experience of the “mill girls”, particularly those in Lowell's textile mills, is best described by option c: They were required to live in closely supervised boardinghouses. These young women, often from rural backgrounds, worked long twelve-hour days in demanding factory conditions and lived in company-owned boarding houses. Their behavior was closely monitored by the mill overseers and boarding-house keepers to ensure their virtue and compliance with strict rules. This supervision extended to mandatory church attendance on Sundays and numerous company-provided “wholesome” activities, suggesting they had some opportunities outside of working hours unlike domestic workers. However, employment conditions were tough; they were subject to potential harassment, low wages, and long hours in a challenging work environment.