Chapter 6 focuses on the role of teachers and the emergence of females in the teaching system. After the American Revolution, many doors opened up for women as the role of women were linked with the development of republican citizens. This was a time where many young girls were given a chance to learn the same material that was only taught to boys. There was a major increase in female teachers and a decrease in males. Some reasons included that females are better teachers for young children because of there child rearing talents. Another reason was that this was a major opportunity for females because there were no other possibilities of employment and they were also seen as having “purer morals”. These reasons were interesting to think about now as i look back at my past teachers as a child were all females.
Another area i found interesting in the chapter was what made a qualified teacher. Mann said a qualification for teaching was perfect knowledge of the subject. Another qualification was an aptitude for teaching and an ability to manage and govern a school room and to mold moral character. I found this interesting because im curious to know are the teachers today really passionate for teaching the subject matter. I believe to be a good teacher you must be passionate about teaching and helping others. That is one reason I would like to enter this field. In the past time teaching was not seen as socially desirable. I would like to know the statistics on teaching seen as being socially desirable. Are teachers really teaching for there passion of the subject matter ?
I would also like to know are females still representative in the teaching system today if so what levels ?
