Women and the Politics of Education in Third Republic France

The directrice of a normal school was a crucial figure in Third Republic France, training women teachers and defending republican schooling against political hostility. Despite expectations to prioritize domesticity, they pursued professional and feminist associations, challenging gender norms and advocating for women's suffrage. Women and the Politics of Education in Third Republic France explores their history and contributions to French society.

Format: Hardback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 30 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press Inc

In the Third Republic of France (1870-1940), the directrice of a normal school (école normale) played a crucial role in shaping public primary education. These schools were designed to train women teachers and were considered vital to the establishment of a stable democracy following the Franco-Prussian War. The laicization of public education was a central aspect of the republican agenda, aimed at countering the alliance of throne and altar that favored monarchy and religious instruction in public schools. While laymen taught most boys in public schools by 1870, separate girls' public schools were staffed by nuns. Consequently, an 1879 law mandated the establishment of new departmental normal schools to train lay women teachers.

This study, which focuses on 313 normal school directrices between 1879 and 1940, represents a significant exploration of a previously understudied group of professional women. These directrices faced numerous challenges and responded in innovative ways to the educational landscape of their time. They often faced political hostility, defending republican schooling and engaging with local notables and authorities. Despite the social and gender divisions in the educational system, they trained teachers for children attending free primary schools, distinct from the elite and less numerous secondary schools.

Directrices were expected to serve as role models for women teachers and to emphasize their duties as wives and mothers. However, their careers defied traditional domestic expectations, showcasing an alternative path for women during a period of intense debate about women's appropriate roles. While some directrices adhered to prevailing gender norms, others pushed against them by joining professional, philanthropic, and feminist associations. They also occasionally publicly supported women's suffrage, advocating for greater gender equality in society.

Women and the Politics of Education in Third Republic France offers a comprehensive examination of the complex relationship between women, education, and politics during this pivotal period in French history. It sheds light on the challenges faced by directrices, their contributions to the educational system, and their impact on shaping gender norms and women's rights. Through its detailed analysis, the book provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of education, politics, and gender in late 19th- and early 20th-century France.

Weight: 482g
Dimension: 242 x 161 x 23 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780197632864