WAUPACA COUNTY NEWS

March 2, 1922

MARRIED TEACHER BAN HIT

            Whether or not married women should be allowed to teach in our public schools depends largely on circumstances, according to Maj. Edward A. Fitzpatrick, chairman of the state board of education..  He feels that the question is primarily one to be left to the judgment of the individual and not to be decided by a mechanical rule excluding all women after marriage from the teaching profession.

            When interviewed on the subject of barring married women from teaching in the public schools, Maj. Fitzpatrick said:

            “The efforts to exclude all married women from the teaching profession is rather general.  It is unfortunate in the light of the efforts that are being made to establish a comparatively longer service from teachers.

            “The state invest considerable money in the training of teachers and the return in length of service is frequently slight.  Moreover, the exclusion of married women, at least to some degree acts as a detriment on young women entering the profession, if all their training becomes of no avail so far as working after marriage is concerned.

            “The possibility of continuing teaching after marriage makes it worth while for all women to train for the profession.  If conditions and circumstances make it necessary or advisable to continue teaching, that opportunity should be left open.