Men Not Drawn To Teaching

By Dr. Marciene Mattleman

PHILADELPHIA - In the US, teaching has always been a female profession, growing over time. More than three quarters of all teachers k-12 are women.

In elementary and middle school, numbers are higher than 80%.

Teaching was a career for men until the 60s when women began to dominate. At the high school level now, 42% are men.

Women are more attracted to teaching than men because it fits family schedules; they can take leaves easily and then return. But teaching salaries are low.

It's also suggested that women may not be eager to have men in the profession. They get promoted more quickly into senior administrative positions. Nearly half of all school principals are men.

Everyone seems to agree that the status of teaching must be raised to attract the best candidates and that increasing the number of African Americans and Latino teachers is a higher priority than bringing men into the field.