The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-25
MARRIED AND UNMARRIED TEACHERS.


MARRIED AND UNMARRIED TEACHERS.
The board of education of New York city
has adopted a resolution declaring, in effect,
that female teacher is disqualified by mar
rage for the pursuit of her profession, and
that any teacher who ventures into matri-
mony shall thereby forfeit her position in the
schools. This action of the board occasions
comment and criticism, though it is no inno-
walton upon customs and opinions long in
vogue, but merely formulates rule that is
put in practical operation by many school
boards, not emitting that of Indianapolis.
The New York educational gentlemen do not
clearly explain why marriage disqualifes a
woman for teaching, but incidentally advance
the argument that domestic duties, which,
according to their view, must necessarily
overwhelm every wife, are incompatible with
the cares of a school. This is the stock argu-
ment in such cases, the actual reason for the
opposition being very different one, which
they are somewhat ashamed to put forward.
This objection is held not alone by
the members Of school boards, it is
sad to say, but may be ascertained
by inquiring of any unmarried teacher why
she opposes the admission of her welded sisters
into the schools. It will be found that unmar-
ried teachers are uniformly in favor of making
matrimony disqualification to the profession
for the simple reason, which they have no
hesitancy in expressing, that a woman with a
husband ought to depend upon him for sup
with others, like themselves. who possess no
such luxury This is the sentiment that
animates the soul of the school director who
objects to assigning a woman to position
merely because she is married. That it is a
narrow and unworthy sentiment will hardly
be denied by those outside of the cramping
boundaries Of what should be liberal and
educating as well as educational profession.
AS theory and general proposition it may
be held, truly enough, that a married woman
+;.a is fully occupied IL her .oaa 70 the
clusion of outside occupations; applications for
schools do not come from this class. 1t may
also be we'll enough to believe, until facts
| prove otherwise that, given husband, a
woman is provided, as a consequence,
with all the other comforts and luxuries of
life. That these theories, though reasonable
and proper enough, have vast number of ex-
ceptions is a truth recognized by all portions
of a community, it would seem, but that in
charge of the interests of education as promul-
gated by the System" Ordinary observers
are we'll aware that whatever may be the
theory or the properly arranged standard OF
conduct, husband does not always provide
for his wife and family; he may be unfortun-
ate in business, he may become an invalid, or
he may be simply 'doless." Is his failure to
| fulfill his duties any reason why the wife and
family shall suffer if she can prevent it by
becoming bread-winner7 Certainly not, ex-
| cept in the opinion of the New York school
| board and others like them. 1t would seem
clear to the ordinary comprehension, that 60
| far from being Objectionable the most excel
lent results could only follow from putting
classes of children into the charge Of one who
has herself had personal care Of little ones; but
this self evident truth is overshadowed by
the fear lest the woman's husband profit by
her labors, and her thoughts wander away
| from the school-room to her own home. TIC
only necessary to consider the number Of un-
married teachers who have also family cares
parents, younger brothers and sisters to pro-
vide for-and other responsibilities which must
weigh upon their minds. 1t is not unreasona-
BILE to suppose that these cares may, at times,
distract their attention from their pupils, but
it is not on record that any young woman was
ever refused school on account of such pos
sibility It is, however, not worth while to
waste argument upon men who openly OF
tacitly discriminate between women whom
| fate compels to earn their ON n livelihood and
to provide for others, by giving preference to
those who may be inferior in every essential
qualification, but are not guilty of possessing
husbands. The man holding opinions which
lead to such action is a relic of a dark age, and
should step aside to give way to more enlight-
| ened sentiment.
MINOR MENTION.