Does the teachers gender matter?

[mcdiddy1]

I am curious, what is your opinion on the importance of having a male or female teacher.

 Through my teaching carrer I have had students everyone once in a while switch teachers because they wanted a female teacher or come to me because they feel a male teacher will impose more practice dicipline. I have always found that strange because I never considered gender more important than results. In collage I switched piano teachers based on schedule and having different experiences despite the fact one was male and the other was female. However I have worked in a piano studio where the owner told me directly that teachers who are female, white, and pretty have a distinct advantage over getting students because of some stereotype of what a piano teacher looks like.

 Do you feel this is true and what do you think the reasons for gender bias are?

[caioramos]

I think that is quite personal. I for myself get along better with female teachers since they are more receptive (most of them), some impose discipline as a man teacher would do, but overall my relationship with male teachers always are a bit harsh, so when I have the possibility to choose, then I will go for the female teacher.

[raw_piano]

Growing up I had both male and female piano teacher, It never made a difference to me.
Sometimes when I have new students coming for an interview, they are surprised to find me a female teacher (I have a misleading name  )

I agree with the person who told you that female teachers have an advantage especially in this part of the world... It's just what people expect I guess!

[mcdiddy1]

Yes , I had no choice but to agree with the person who told me females are generally favored over boys. Next time I get told that I am going to say "well, I'm not going to wear a dress!"

I just personally have never understood where the mentlitie comes from. You can find examples of disciplinarians of both genders and more laid back examples of either kinds of teacher.

[kellyc]

Yes , of course the teachers gender matters. The only question is does it matter in a significant way. That is an individual experience. A female teacher is far more qualified to discuss wardrobe with a female student in regard to performing.  At least I think so. That is just one example. Now is that important. Again depends on the student. To me it was very important.  Though now I have a male Teacher and we do just fine together. 

Kelly

[mcdiddy1]

Yes , of course the teachers gender matters. The only question is does it matter in a significant way. That is an individual experience. A female teacher is far more qualified to discuss wardrobe with a female student in regard to performing.  At least I think so. That is just one example. Now is that important. Again depends on the student. To me it was very important.  Though now I have a male Teacher and we do just fine together. 

Kelly

I guess more specifically my question is should gender matter when teaching music. I agree on selective subjects like wardrobe etc.. the conversation with be much less awkward the teacher is the same gender. But some students will want to work exclusivly with a female teacher. My opinion is if both teachers want you to fix your quarter notes pulse, does it really matter if they are a male or a female? While it is true that every student is individual, in every single piano studio I have worked which is about three there has been a student who will choose a teacher based on gender. I guess I am just curious what the though process is behind these who made those choices.

[pianoplayjl]

In my opinion it does not make any difference. It just depends on whetherthe teachers knwo what they are doing. they are both the same. I heard from one of my friends that she has a female teacher. The female teacher is strict becuase she somehow hits the student on the head with a book if the student makes a repetitive mistake. Males tend to be more open while females are more strict, I think.   

[mosis]

only if you're looking for something more than piano lessons 

[pianoplayjl]

only if you're looking for something more than piano lessons  

I don't get it.

[pastlifepianist]

I feel that it shouldn't matter, but my parents made sure that I studied with female teachers because they felt it decreased the chances of me being sexually abused by a male teacher (one of those things that happen more frequently than people think, or dare to speak about).

[mcdiddy1]

Wow. I always find it interesting parents would think that way. I can't say it is wrong because male are more likely to abuse children than females. I just think it is a shame to miss out on potentially quality instruction based on someone's gender.

[amelialw]

Through my teaching carrer I have had students everyone once in a while switch teachers because they wanted a female teacher or come to me because they feel a male teacher will impose more practice dicipline.

i'll have to disagree with that statement... my 2nd teacher is my entire life was a female but she enforced discipline and drove me to work hard; she was the one who taught me how to be self- motivated deep underneath her stern nature i soon enough found a very warm& loving teacher!!

my 1st experience with a male teacher was pretty bad :/ but I would say that my russian teacher whom I'm now under is fantastic in terms of motivating his students and instilling discipline & a very warm teacher as well

[mcdiddy1]

i'll have to disagree with that statement... my 2nd teacher is my entire life was a female but she enforced discipline and drove me to work hard; she was the one who taught me how to be self- motivated deep underneath her stern nature i soon enough found a very warm& loving teacher!!

my 1st experience with a male teacher was pretty bad :/ but I would say that my russian teacher whom I'm now under is fantastic in terms of motivating his students and instilling discipline & a very warm teacher as well

Yes. I disagree with the statement. I have had very disciplined and great female teacher. In comparison the female teachers were actually more strict than the male teachers. I think there are a variety of teachers in either gender and the stereotypes do not hold water.

[amelialw]

i think one plus point female teachers are often known for is for being more motherly... i have taken lessons up to this point from 3 different female teachers(not counting my female teacher i mentioned above who i still do study under) and it's true but that's not what a good teacher is all about either cause if so I would have stuck with my female teachers whom I took lessons with prior to my russian teacher. It's true that they had those characteristics but in terms of actually being able to teach& play they lacked alot of qualities and it never lasted long with any of them

[cjp_piano]

I don't think we should say female teachers are a certain way or male teachers are a certain way. Everyone's unique. There are tender, caring, sensitive male teachers and there are strict, cold, driven female teachers.

BUT if a student wants a female or male teacher, that's his/her prerogative. Sometimes little girls are just more comfortable with a female.

[1piano4joe]

There are good ones and bad ones of both genders. There are good car mechanics and bad ones. Good restaurants and bad ones. Good doctors and bad ones. Why should teachers be any different?

Teaching like nursing and other fields has many more female teachers than male.

As a direct result of this at least 3 to 1 female to male ratio of teaching professionals it would follow that on average for every 4 "bad experiences"  that 3 of them will have been with female teachers and only 1 male. This might cause some bias in some peoples thinking. Female teachers are the worst. Right? But consider the converse.

For every 4 "positive experiences" that on average 3 of them will have been with female teachers and only 1 positive experience with a male. So obviously females are better teachers.
Right?

There is no difference between genders. I proffer this lengthy post to elucidate the often erroneous rationale in some peoples minds.