The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-08-10
INCONSISTENT CRITICISM.

INCONSISTENT CRITICISM.
At least one county in Indiana finds itself
confronting this sort of an educational sit
uation: Nearly all the fer,ale teachers on
whom the county superintendent has been
depending have married, and the male
teachers have gone into business or entered
other professions. 1t is often asserted
of women, somewhat in the way of
disparagement, that they are an uncertain
cause they do not take up such occupations
as a nfe-work, but leave them and marry
at the earlist opportunity, and grumhling
in this line is reported concerning the fe-
male teachers in question. 1t is a re-
proach to which teachers are less open
than women of many other callings, for the
reason that marriage is less likely to pre-
sent itself to them as a temptation to aban-
don their work. By the nature of their
occupation they are withdrawn to a consid-
cradle extent from mems society. and mar
riage being to large degree a mere matter
of propinquity, they miss matrimonial pos
sibilities that might otherwise have been
the most plausible theories for the con-
tinued spinsterhood of a large proportion
OF teachers. Excellent as their educational
service is, whether they remain long or
short time in the profession, absorbed in
the work as they become if years hold
them to their duties, it is not to be as
sumed for a moment that these faithful
women continue TO teach because they pre-
fer teaching to neutrality-suspicious. oppor-
tunity for matrimony present itself i'll a
favorable form. 1t is commonly senti-
mental people who are not teachers who
work" 1t is not a normal woman who
would choose deliberately to devote her life
to an endless procession of other peoples
children instead of a family of her own. If
il were not for the salaries involved, small
though they are. the 'life-work" fiction
women who would wish TO engage in educa-
tional pursuits from the simple love of it
would be as scarce as self-sacrificing men
seeking immolation in the same way
Instead of being a cause of dissatisfac-
ton, the marriage of the Upton county
teachers should be matter for congratula-
ton. They would not have married had
they not considered that matrimony offered
a more cheerful prospect than teaching;
therefore they are happy. Their departure
opens opportunities to other educationa!
aspirants; therefore they make others
happy. The pupils of the schools will be
inspired by the energy and enthusiasm of
the new and unwearied instructors; there
fore the children are better off. Really. the
authorities owe the brides wedding pres
ents.
AS for the male teachers who have gone
into business. no one thinks Of criticisine
them for giving up 2 noble life-work No
body so much as mentions life-work in
connection with them. They may abandon
teaching whenever they please: they may
take 1t up from time TO time in the inter-
walls OF other occupations; they may be
entirely Indifferent TO tho tremendous re-
sponsioiities involved in moleing the in
FAINT mind; they may regard the schools
as temporary financial convenience to
them rather thar an opportunity to benefit
children-all this without criticism or COM
ment. 1t IS time the same common-sense
business view were taken OF women. con-
nection with schools. They do not teach.
primarily, for philanthropic reasons: the
question az Tho nnhilisv 81 49, .. ~.