Five questions about the gypsy scene

Why are little girls taken to a filthy and dangerous place such as a gypsy fairground? Is that the opera staff's idea of a field trip? Why do they risk their reputation that way? Why is the future ballet teacher the only person who has a problem with what the gypsies do? Her classmates not only remain untroubled, but are highly entertained, as are their chaperones. I could understand an urchin being in the mix, but find it unrealistic that in a group from a ballet and an opera house, which are mature and sophisticated things, a lone girl has morals and sense. Madame Giry has at least twelve years on Erik, but when they are shown as children, they are approximately the same age. How could the writer and director ignore this?