Women in Primary Teaching: Career Contexts and Strategies

Originally published in 1990. This study investigates the experiences of women in primary teaching and examines the levels of promotion achieved by men and women in the profession. Using extracts from women’s accounts of their own career histories, Women in Primary Teaching analyses both the contexts in which careers are constructed and the strategies that are devised by women pursuing careers. The author examines the extent to which women are faced with a dilemma of dual commitments not experienced by men: the juggling of home and family with teaching work. What effect do interruptions in service and continued family management have on a career? How too do women’s attitudes to promotion differ from men’s and in what manner is promotion sought - if at all? In addressing these questions, this book is interesting to anyone involved in studying women and work as well as practising and student teachers.