Hollins Digital Commons

The Motivation behind the International Movement for More Male Teachers

Roanoke Times Conference Room

On the whole, elementary and secondary school teaching is a female-dominated field. Movements to increase the number of male teachers have been appearing across the globe. Agendas to recruit more male teachers have surfaced in social organizations as well as laws and mandates (and proposed laws and mandates) in numerous countries. Proponents of the male teacher movement claim that males make better teachers and role models. This paper examines these beliefs through analysis of the evidence provided by supporters and adversaries of the movement. I have found through my research that no substantial evidence exists that suggests men are more effective teachers. Supporters cite two main articles as evidence, but both of these articles explicitly state that they do not provide sufficient support of increasing male teachers. Furthermore, I assert that the movement for more male teachers has harmful sexist implications arising from its implicit desire to keep men in superior positions and end the existence of a female-dominated field.