A FEMINISED PROFESSION - WOMEN IN THE TEACHING PROFESSION

The education profession in Germany is presented as a feminised profes sion. This is defined and qualified, showing what sort of schools wome n are employed in and why there is a difference between women's opport unities in certain school types, An analysis is presented as to why wo men were allowed to enter the education profession when they did, link ing women's employment opportunities and national shortages. The preju dice still existing against women's professional status within the emp loyment sector is questioned. The paper shows how the education profes sion in Germany has been feminised and how the feminisation of a profe ssion affects its pay and social prestige.