How Did Teaching Become a Gendered Career?
The teaching profession has been heavily gendered for centuries, with women representing the majority of teachers worldwide, and studies suggest these gender stereotypes are likely to remain in place for years to come. This begs the question: how did teaching become a gendered career in the first place?
This issue is a complex one, with many factors influencing the gendering of the teaching profession. Below, we explore some of the primary reasons for why teaching has become a traditionally female-dominated career.
Women’s Place in History
Historically, women have acted as the primary care-takers of children and the home, and therefore, teaching was often seen as a “natural” extension of such roles. This could be attributed to the fact that women are naturally more nurturing and emotionally astute, better suited to educate children in a kind, caring environment.
Societal Expectations of Gender Roles
Though times have changed, traditional gender roles and expectations still have a strong influence on the gender balance of the teaching profession. In many cultures, for example, men were encouraged to pursue higher–paying career paths, and not alongside women competing for teaching jobs.
It’s worth noting, however, that gender roles do not always tell the whole picture–there are many devoted male teachers who can add a valuable insight into the classroom.
Pay Differences between Men and Women
One of the primary reason for why teaching is seen as a gendered career is the difference in salary between male and female teachers. As a rule, teaching salaries are among the lowest when compared to other industries, and so it speaks volumes to the dedication and commitment of those who work in this field.
Unfortunately, the persistent pay gap between male and female teachers suggests that gender bias still plays a role. Men tend to be paid higher salaries than women, meaning that women are more likely to undertake the roles of teaching and childcare.
Conclusion
In conclusion, teaching has become a heavily gendered career due to a complex combination of historical and cultural factors. Though times have changed, traditional gender roles and expectations still have a strong influence on teaching, as evidenced by the persistent pay gap between male and female teachers.
At the same time, there is much progress to be made in educating the public about how men and women can work together to create a better learning environment for our children. Here’s hoping for a better–and more balanced–future for the teaching profession.
