Mytake,
Before I reply point by point I want to stress I am NOT saying that a secular life is better then a Chasidishe one. I am just saying that this women is not lying and that the fact that she found this lifestyle not good does not mean it is not a GREAT lifestyle for some.
I went to a really Yeshivish (although not Chasidishe)High-School. I was told it dosn’t “Pas” for a Ben Torah to eat out in a restaurant and that we should not do so. I do not find it hard to believe that a strict Satmar Family would not let it’s women eat out.
Again in my experience in the Yeshivishe community the more Yeshivishe people are less makpid on driving laws, underage drinking etc. then more modern or not frum people. So I do not find it hard to believe her here either.
[non-Hasidic]
I remember being told by my High- school teachers that “Just because a Goy is wearing a uniform does not make him any less of a lowlife then a bum on a street corner and given the chance they would do what the Nazis did”
My understanding from speaking to some friends who are familiar with Satmar is that Beis Ruchel Dsatmar forbids it’s high-school girls from being on the street after certain hours(with some exceptions when attending a friends wedding etc.).
Allot of the Chasidieshe men I meet speak english on about a 4th grade level so this is not a leap.