Feminization+of+Teaching+(20th+century)

=Were women always allowed to teach?=

[[image:feminization.jpg width="550" height="348" caption="Public School, Braeburn, PA early 1900s"]]
Resources used: [] []

During the 18th century most teachers were men. Women were usually uneducated because the majority of people who had the opportunity to attend schools were boys. During the early 1800s many new public schools were formed, which demanded a greater number of educated teachers. Reformers argued that women by nature are nuturing and maternal, and would make good teachers. Therefore, women started attending training at summer institutes to become better educated. Later, Normal schools were established to provide structured training of teachers. This led to universities and colleges being formed. The feminization of teaching changed how society perceived women, but also how women perceived themselves. Women were grateful for the salary, independence and purpose that teaching gave them. By the 20th century nearly 75 percent of America's teachers were women.