Por /By Diane M Nickerson, MS Ed.
Castle Island Bilingual Montessori
Economic Disadvantage in Education
The US educational system finds its economic solvency because it employs professionals who are willing to accept a salary 18% lower than their counterparts in other professions. Most, 75% of public-school teachers in the US, are women. Why are they willing to accept such low pay?
The average age of women in teaching is 42. Most are married, and have school-age children. I propose that school districts take advantage of these statistics when considering their salary structures. While one might argue that it’s a trade-off, more vacation days and schedules that coincide with child care for a lower salary. The
problem is a question of equity in pay for women and the ability to attract both women and men to the field.
Is there sufficient motivation for a man interested in pursuing a career in education at 18% less pay than in another field? If our society is arranged so that the men continue to “provide for the family,” including a sufficient salary with good health insurance coverage, and they are choosing other options for professions, either there will have to be a more substantial work-life draw to entice men or the salaries for all teachers, men and women will have to increase.