Single Ladies Become More Independent

The Industrial Revolution brought about change in our world, and not just technological advances. The dynamic of the country was changing, especially the economy. With the introduction of machines and high-productivity factories, the importance of home-produced goods made by women from their own homes declined greatly. Instead, a commercial economy developed. 

With the introduction of mills and factories, women had the choice to live more independently and step outside of the limitations imposed on the farm. When women worked in the mills in Lowell, for example, they were able to make money for themselves for most likely the first time in their lives. With the money they made, they were able to buy goods for themselves, such as shoes, or they could send it home to their parents to help pay for the house and other necessities. Women were also able to save for dowries or even and education for their future. Women viewed their work in the mills as a temporary stage of life and not a career. Maybe the biggest motivation to go and work in the mills came from the idea of gaining independence from their families and being able to live by themselves. 

When a woman worked for one week in the mills, her average pay was $3.50. This was the pay for an average of 13 hours a day, six days a week. If you figure it out, these women were making almost 5¢ an hour. In addition, the women had to pay for the boarding houses they were forced to live in by mill owners. There were some benefits to mill work, though. Girls and women were given three meals a day. Sometimes they were even given an education, or what could be scraped together and called an education by mill owners. Families as well were relieved from providing for an additional person. When girls left their houses, their families now did not have to pay for food for them or additional clothing they may need. This responsibility was put onto the girls themselves. 

The Industrial Revolution opened many new doors to girls and women. It gave them a chance to live away from their families and to make money for their own benefit and sometimes their parents and family's benefit. They were able to learn responsibility by "living all alone." 

Though women were given all of these opportunities, restrictions were also put on them. Women were forced to live in boarding houses provided by the mills. Mill owners controlled the lives of their workers and the hours they did things. Women worked from very early in the morning until late at night, and sometimes did not even get breaks for meals. Women also had problems in the government. They were unable to vote or own property. It was almost impossible for women to have a life outside of their families. 

People in the 1800s saw women as unworthy of rights that were given to free men. Though these women were free, a right passed down from their fathers who were also free, they were not treated that way. They did not have all the abilities their fathers had, but should have been given. There was no sense of respect towards the women during this time even though they worked hard to make a living for themselves, and sometimes their families as well.  Women deserved as much respect as the men who did equal work received from society.  When respect was not given, these tough women were able to fight against the inequalities of the world and have gotten us to where we are now

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