Do you think that the feminization of education is hindering learning?

Question

Hard facts are being replaced by soft words in the class room...Do you think that it hinders academic learning?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7450571.stm

He gave the example of what is called "circle time" in primary schools, which, he said, used to be a chance for pupils to sit down at the end of the school day and talk about what they had learned.

Now youngsters were encouraged to sit around and talk about their feelings instead, he said.

"This can create anxiety among young people. We heard of one young girl and it was her turn to 'put her worries' in the 'worry box'.

"But she became very upset because she didn't have any worries," he said.

Answer 1

It is said that math is usually where boys and men excel. Well, I am a woman and I am great at math. My teachers have always told me hard facts and not eluded to politically correct words to teach me math. Plus, I went to a all girls highschool; you should have seen the talent there!

Answer 2

Yes, that's why boys are prescribed Ritalin 3x more than girls. To calm down their natural male hormones, so no one is "offended" of "distracted" by him.

Answer 3

"Talking about your feelings" is an old social control mechanism that goes back to biblical times.  Here in the States, there have been several suits against school districts that do this.  Legally, no public school student is obligated to participate in any thing like this.  It is purely voluntary.  

Typically, when you start the investigation into who is pushing programs like this, you find some hippie-era, commune type with socialist ideals pushing this agenda.  

If any school admin type presses it, there are several non-profit legal funds that goes after school districts like this.  The parents just need to be informed.

Answer 4

so what would you prefer the women to be doing, sitting at home doing laundry? or do exactly half of the women get to go out and get an education so that there aren't far too many in your opinion?

Answer 5

We need both 50% 50%, a bigger question is ,Why the UK preoccupation with exams? Exams do not determine a child's whole future at a very early age in Europe , but  most European countries are academically head of the UK

Answer 6

Dang, I had just typed a great response and it got sucked into cyberspace.

To put it simply, it has more to do with removing the physical activity than any of this so-called "feminization" of education.

Kids need to move their bodies, and to expect them to sit still and focus for more than an hour at a time is unrealistic.

BRING BACK RECESS!

BRING BACK THE GOOD PE CLASSES! (the kind where you break a sweat!)

PS. I bet a lot of the "worries" discussed in circle time would go away with a good hour of physical activity each day.

Answer 7

What do you mean far too many of us in the classroom today?  Teaching or learning?  Anyways feelings are for home and therapy not school.  I don't think this is what feminist are doing; in fact I have no idea who would want to do this?

Answer 8

We are creating a whole new breed of  "victims" and emotionally insecure humans. Are we really teaching them to share emotions or to wallow in self pity and take offense to the smallest slight?

Answer 9

It sure is! These days everything is analysed and pulled to bits and its  actually giving people hang-ups!

Once upon a time your feelings were your own,private business something you talked about if you wanted to and thought about if you didn't.

Its another example of the cissy state! What the kids really need are good examples and things to look up to.

They need to achieve the goals set for them and not be ashamed if they don't as long as they tried.

They also need to be taught right from wrong and understand that bad equals retribution and good equals reward. They dont get what they really need!

Answer 10

If you have a problem dealing with the reality of women in  your classroom then sitting around talking is what you should be doing with your therapist.

Answer 11

It certainly didn't work for me. I was only successful when I was put in to a program where I work at my own quick pace without being distracted by "feelings" and all that other c**p.

Did feminism not promote adapting to classroom environment to better suit young girls?

Answer 12

You know what, you're right BUT you have to keep in mind that there is a teacher shortage in America and we are especially low on male teachers. Men just aren't lining up for the profession and the ones that are, are going to high school or into the school boards. The school boards are the ones who set up the guidelines on what to teach, not the teachers.

As far as having TOO many females in the classroom well I don't where you expect females to be but if you have such a problem with the amount of estrogen in a classroom then maybe YOU can personally think of another way to convince more men to become teachers because what we're doing so far really isn't working too well. Apparently teaching isn't a good enough profession for some men but it sure as h3ll is good enough for them to complain about.

It really burns me that people complain about this because you know what, us teachers are doing the best we can with what we have. We have a serious lack of support from parents and the community in general especially when we make progress with children yet everyone loves to complain about what we're doing wrong.

In America, no child left behind is more of a hindrance than "share your feelings" time. Nothing will ever replace learning cold hard facts which ::gasps:: is still done in the classroom. However, learning how to communicate you wants, fears and desires as well as learning cold hard facts and  being a good team player is key in developing a well-rounded, thoughtful, and intelligent member of society.

Answer 13

yes

Answer 14

I don't see what this has to do with 'feminization'. I would have hated sitting around talking about my feelings as a child. But I do think children should be encouraged to speak up if they have problems.

Answer 15

The current education methods seem to work well for my daughters but are terrible for my son.  We have transferred him to get more structure in his classes and less "feelings".

Women and men are very much the same and capable in some ways but very different in other ways. How we learn is one of the ways we are often very different.

Answer 16

Yes it is. If I wanted to talk about my feelings, I would have gone to a counselor.

Below Answerer: That is because females are better at sharing emotions than males. Unless of course you consider yourself to be a man....

Answer 17

Yes, absolutely.

Answer 18

This doesn't sound like an idea class room setting but where do you get the idea that it's feminized or has anything to do with women's influence? In case you didn't notice, it was a woman who's written a book against this type of learning.

Say what you will about it, but blaming this on women or "feminization" is you drawing your own conclusions, not reality.

Answer 19

In America, I think no child left behind has more effect on hindering learning than talking about feelings.

Answer 20

There is a teacher shortage in general- and males are always welcome to apply for jobs at the elementary level.  Don't blame women for fulfilling those positions- men just aren't applying for them.

http://www.nea.org/teachershortage/03mal...

...and not all women like to discuss their emotions.  I definitely don't- and wouldn't force that upon anyone either.

Answer 21

I think people have to look at the fact that many education plans are created and or approved by men.

I do feel bad for the child with no "worries", but my daughter is in preschool and they do something similar during circle time.

They talk about how they feel and why, it has decreased the agression some children have. When they learn to talk about it they are less likely to react unresponsibly.

Women are not to blame for this, if men think to many women are running the education system, then perhaps they should get an education and job as a teacher.

Talking about emotions does not hinder academics as you put it. Children do have the right to participate or not participate. Children who have the ability to express themselves actually do better in the classroom.

Answer 22

yes!