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Larks comments on Open thread, May 17-31 2013 - Less Wrong Discussion
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Comments (311)
Really? The BBC thinks they're the second highest status profession, just after professor (and before CEO).
They're significantly better paid than you would expect given the qualifications required to be a teacher (none).
I've gotten the impression that the respect of teachers in the US is way below what it is in the UK (or Finland, for that matter).
To all three of you: respected by whom?
People in general?
I think that's a little vague. My impression is the following (in the US):
Many people will claim to respect teachers in the abstract. Charitably I think this is based on fond memories of their favorite teacher, less charitably based on a sense that respecting teachers is something people feel like they ought to be seen doing.
However, actually being a teacher (e.g. on a date) is not likely to garner a great deal of status relative to other professions.
Also, students generally don't seem to respect their teachers (but this is also vague).
Agree with the OP that the basic problem seems to be a vicious cycle (again, in the US).
It´s probably something like Linus's "I love humanity ... It's people I can't stand".
I wonder if there isn't the opposite effect for some group, like CEOs, where people may have somewhat negative feelings about the abstract concept, but show a great deal of respect in person.
It's even worse in here Italy -- ISTM that most people would agree that most teachers these days are incompetent.
Another question would be whether people who interact with teachers qua teachers — for instance, parents of students; coaches, principals, or other school employees — treat them as moral and social equals, or as inferiors. It seems to be a common complaint from schoolteachers that some parents, for instance, consistently treat their children's teachers as inferiors.
I just realized I generalized too much. In Canada, you require a four-year Bachelor's of Education specifically (same as for being an engineer, and more than most trades). The average salary seems to be about the same as in the US.