The Evolution of Women's Education
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Progressive Era:
The Patriarchy– a phenomenon in America established by millenia-old societal norms, Chritianity, and conservatism– has caused women to fall behind men in several areas, namely education. The fight for equal education began centuries ago and has since run its course. Shortly before the Progressive Era, the common belief was that women were incapable of entering the workfield and to be educated alongside men. Prior to the establishment of several organizations to promote women’s educational rights, women attended “finishing schools” which taught them skills to become proper wives. According to Dr. Edward Clark, in his novel Sex in Education, written in 1873, “A woman’s body could only handle a limited number of developmental tasks at one time – that girls who spent too much energy developing their minds during puberty would end up with undeveloped or diseased reproductive systems”.
In junction with women entering the workforce because of increased industrialization, women also began to fight for broader educational rights. Though women had already gained the right to attend co-ed colleges, many were forced to work by age 14-16, leaving no time to pursue secondary education. However, many people made efforts toward equal education:
For decades, classes at coed schools remained segregated because of discrimination, even after the man efforts to equalize education. However, these efforts did pave the way for future progress toward equal opportunity for women. For example, the ACA would merge with several other organizations to form the International Federation of Graduate women, an organization that still seeks to bring equality to public education today all across the globe.
Because the fight for women’s education was considered an extremely radical movement at the time, efforts that were small were squandered, while well organized organizations merely established a foundation for future efforts that would not be considered so radical. Eventually, during the Post-War Era, going into early Digital Age, the American public became more open to educational rights for women.
The Patriarchy– a phenomenon in America established by millenia-old societal norms, Chritianity, and conservatism– has caused women to fall behind men in several areas, namely education. The fight for equal education began centuries ago and has since run its course. Shortly before the Progressive Era, the common belief was that women were incapable of entering the workfield and to be educated alongside men. Prior to the establishment of several organizations to promote women’s educational rights, women attended “finishing schools” which taught them skills to become proper wives. According to Dr. Edward Clark, in his novel Sex in Education, written in 1873, “A woman’s body could only handle a limited number of developmental tasks at one time – that girls who spent too much energy developing their minds during puberty would end up with undeveloped or diseased reproductive systems”.
In junction with women entering the workforce because of increased industrialization, women also began to fight for broader educational rights. Though women had already gained the right to attend co-ed colleges, many were forced to work by age 14-16, leaving no time to pursue secondary education. However, many people made efforts toward equal education:
- National Education Association(1857-present): This association, which strove to ensure equal and higher public education, was finally chartered by Congress in 1906. This created a gateway for women’s education during the Modern Era.
- Association of Collegiate Alumnae (1882-1917): This organization, composed of 13 women who were from the first generation of college educated women, sought to fight discrimination against women on college campuses, and lobbied for equal opportunities in graduate and medical programs.
For decades, classes at coed schools remained segregated because of discrimination, even after the man efforts to equalize education. However, these efforts did pave the way for future progress toward equal opportunity for women. For example, the ACA would merge with several other organizations to form the International Federation of Graduate women, an organization that still seeks to bring equality to public education today all across the globe.
Because the fight for women’s education was considered an extremely radical movement at the time, efforts that were small were squandered, while well organized organizations merely established a foundation for future efforts that would not be considered so radical. Eventually, during the Post-War Era, going into early Digital Age, the American public became more open to educational rights for women.
![Picture](/uploads/8/4/9/4/84943018/published/85_1.jpeg?1487137269)
Modern Era:
Today, education in America is available to both women and men. The problems do not lie in accessing education, but rather in accessing equal wages in the workforce. “Women CEO’s” has increasingly become a topic of interest in the media, as women who have the same educational backgrounds as men do not climb the ladder as easily. However, a plethera of advances have been made in recent decades to ensure the equal opportunities for women in both primary and secondary education.
In 1972, during the second wave of feminism, Congress enacted Title IX, which ended discrimination based on sex in education and other programs that are part of federally funded institutions. Since then, the opportunities for women in education and in athletics has grown exponentially. Additionally, the number of women attending secondary schools and earning bachelors degree exceeds that of men as shown by the graph. Therefore, the number of women with clerical jobs has been decreasing since the 60’s and women are now assuming more prestigious rank in the workforce. However, not all has ended in success...
The Equal Rights Amendment, a simple statement which read, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex”, was first proposed before Congress to be added to the Constitution in 1923. It failed to pass and was forgotten for several decades. During the Civil Rights Movement in 1967, the National Organization for Women sought to ratify this amendment once again. Finally, in 1972, the ERA was approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. However, because of various pushbacks, the ERA fell several states short of the required ¾ vote. Because of this failure, sexual equality was not protected by the Constitution.
Another right that has not been addressed concerning education is the accommodation for parenting or pregnant students. Because this task is mostly specific to female students, this is an issue in junction to the other women's rights in education. These at-risk students are more susceptible to dropping out and are more likely to be impoverished as adults.
Overall, however, it seems as though the struggle for co-education has run its course and has come to an end. Women began attending colleges in equal numbers to men in the 80's and have since never wavered. Education has made leaps and bounds in the last century alone and women are now proud alumnae of some of the top universities in the world. Not only do women now survive in schools with men, they thrive.
Today, education in America is available to both women and men. The problems do not lie in accessing education, but rather in accessing equal wages in the workforce. “Women CEO’s” has increasingly become a topic of interest in the media, as women who have the same educational backgrounds as men do not climb the ladder as easily. However, a plethera of advances have been made in recent decades to ensure the equal opportunities for women in both primary and secondary education.
In 1972, during the second wave of feminism, Congress enacted Title IX, which ended discrimination based on sex in education and other programs that are part of federally funded institutions. Since then, the opportunities for women in education and in athletics has grown exponentially. Additionally, the number of women attending secondary schools and earning bachelors degree exceeds that of men as shown by the graph. Therefore, the number of women with clerical jobs has been decreasing since the 60’s and women are now assuming more prestigious rank in the workforce. However, not all has ended in success...
The Equal Rights Amendment, a simple statement which read, “Equality of rights under the law shall not be abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex”, was first proposed before Congress to be added to the Constitution in 1923. It failed to pass and was forgotten for several decades. During the Civil Rights Movement in 1967, the National Organization for Women sought to ratify this amendment once again. Finally, in 1972, the ERA was approved by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. However, because of various pushbacks, the ERA fell several states short of the required ¾ vote. Because of this failure, sexual equality was not protected by the Constitution.
Another right that has not been addressed concerning education is the accommodation for parenting or pregnant students. Because this task is mostly specific to female students, this is an issue in junction to the other women's rights in education. These at-risk students are more susceptible to dropping out and are more likely to be impoverished as adults.
Overall, however, it seems as though the struggle for co-education has run its course and has come to an end. Women began attending colleges in equal numbers to men in the 80's and have since never wavered. Education has made leaps and bounds in the last century alone and women are now proud alumnae of some of the top universities in the world. Not only do women now survive in schools with men, they thrive.