The image to the left show an illustration of the Lowell Mills. Notice how pretty and peaceful the artist makes the scene look in order to draw people in.
These young girls were motivated to work in the factories because they could put money away for their dowry, and they could have money to spend on themselves. They also felt like by leaving their family and going to work by themselves showed how they were independent and mature. The idea of having the working and living experience in the city also drew some girls in because it was something they weren't used to and curious about. Another reason girls were attracted to the mills because it was thought as of a temporary job, so they could get married and have kids after. Families were also having to make a big decision on allowing their daughters to work and I think that a lot of what made the decision easier is how they were going to send back money home to help with their families if they needed it and how factory owners told the families how beautiful the mills were. They also let the families know that they will be cared for and still have morals enforced. Painters used to paint the mills as this peaceful beautiful landscape surrounded by clean water, when in reality it was anything but peaceful. When everyone is telling you such great things about a place why not go? Well for mill girls here's why; girls suffered in the working conditions, their health declined, they weren't treated well by the overseers, they had to leave their life behind, they didn't get good meals, they were under strict rules, it could possibly prevent you from getting other jobs in the future, it was damaging to their reputation, and they were always at risk for injuries. I would not want anyone I know to have to experience what these girls experienced in the mills.
In class we learned most of this information watching "Daughters of Free Men". Click here
to visit a web page including a short clip from this documentary.
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