Sex, sexism, and the preparation of educators

Abstract

Separation of sex and school has been an important assumption in the history of education. In the past, the image of the teacher was that of a know-nothing when it came to sexual matters. As Rury makes clear in this issue, coeducation caused concern about the purity and moral development of young women, and so the desexualized school emerged with educators designated as its moral guardians. In the 1920s, the lack of sexual knowledge was a criterion for hiring and retention. Contracts often specified that teachers (read only women apply) not to keep company with men and that their employment would be terminated if they should marry. Later, marriage became acceptable, but pregnancy could cause dismissal. In many districts, especially during the 1950s, divorced teachers were seen as inappropriate role models for the youth of the nation. Recently court cases have surrounded efforts to remove homosexual teachers from the classroom.