Let My Adversaries Speak

Many different kinds of people have problems with saying anyone, whether it’s the teacher union or the government, should persuade more young males into the world of teaching. In discussions of how we can reengage young boys into learning, a controversial issue is whether or not the introduction of more male teachers will help to solve this growing problem. While some contend that this will not help because in fact female teachers are better for young boys in the long run.  A study done in 2007 (http://www.news-medical.net/news/2007/08/24/29099.aspx) refutes that male teacher help young boys and contends that female teachers actually help student in what they believe is the most critical value in determining a young boys likelihood of success, competent reading skills. Still others argue that it’s not the fact that female teachers are better that we should stop imploring men to become teachers, but because of the detrimental effects it would have on women. They use information that was gained in an unbiased research project done by Thomas Dee (http://www.ehow.com/about_5623553_male-versus-female-teachers.html). In this 2006 survey, Thomas Dee’s data showed that young girls do much better with a female teacher and a lot worse when they are being taught by male teachers. Dee points to the fact male and females have different styles of teaching that suit either young boys or young girls in development. My own view is that we need to balance out the number of male teachers and female teachers. In my upcoming blog posts, I will argue against both of these claims made by the other side in this debate.