The Benefits and Costs of Working in the Mills: Life of a Mill Girl

Although the Industrial Revolution was time of great invention and advancements in machinery, there were also many other aspects of the 19th century that contributed to the Revolution as well. Woman and the roles of women were a large part of the Industrial Revolution. This is because a large majority of factory workers were women. Because of many factors, young women were motivated to work in the mills. However, although there were benefits, there were countless negative characteristics as well.

 

After viewing "Daughters of Free Men", it is clear that there were many aspects of working that motivated young women to head to the mills everyday. For women, earning money was one of the most important reasons why they decided to work. Women were able to send the money that they made home to support their families, or keep a portion for themselves. With the money the girls earned, they were also able to purchase clothing. Most woman wanted to dress nicely, and by working they were able to achieve this. During the 19th century, most women worked as housekeepers or stayed at home. By working in the mills, women gained independence. Specifically,  Mill Girls show that women can support not only their families, but also themselves. Although the girls mostly spent their time working machines,  they were also educated and properly cared for.  This greatly appealed to both the women and their families back home. Of course there were also many negative costs of working at the mills as well. Although the conditions in Massachusetts weren't as bad as England, poor working conditions were inevitable. Whether women were employed in England or Lowell, conditions were less than desired. The women worked long hour days, usually about 13 hours in total The average pay for a six day work week was three dollars and fifty cents, which is not a lot at all. Death and Injury were bound to happen. While working the machines, women's hands were often massacred, and long hair was lost in the machines. Work was not very satisfying and working long hours caused women's bodies to deform and deteriorate. Also, young women were away from their families for long periods of time, which was most likely very difficult. In the film "Daughters of Free Men", it is evident that conditions were not as humane as they could be. Lucy Hall and Harriett, two of the main characters, ended up walking out of the mills. In other words, they boycotted the mills. The mill girls knew what was right and they were aware that they weren't being treated properly. Wage cuts were not certainly not fair at all, considering they were paid very little in the first place.

 

The 1830s marks a time in America where there were many changes for woman. Gender roles and the roles of woman were altered and woman weren't just known as housekeepers anymore. The idea of men working for their families and woman staying at home was no longer part of the ideal society. Woman became more independent and instead wanted to achieve things for themselves, rather than just their families. In "Daughters of Free Men" Lucy and countless other girls worked in the rather "manly" world of machines and manufacturing. The mill girls left their impact by changing common perceptions of woman working outside the home, living away from parents, being educated, writing for the public, and especially labor reform. After working in factories for many years, most woman went on to achieve more than just cooking for their families. This included, unspoken abolitionists and women's rights activists.

 

 

This is a mill girl working a machine. Looking at the photo, it is evident that young women often stood all day with little breaks. This put great strain on their growing bodies. This is a cost of deciding to work in the mills.

Citation: http://usgenderroles.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-lowell-mill-girls.html