UDC: 
396.4
Ushakova Evgeniya Vladimirovna
PhD student of the Department of Methodology of Education, Saratov State University, e.v-ushakova@mail.ru, Saratov

Views on Women’s Education of Early English Feminists

Abstract: 
Introduction. During the XVII century in England the issue of educational reform was repeatedly raised, because its classical content does not correspond to the trends of the time, which was marked by scientific discoveries and ideas of English Enlightenment thinkers. This century was an important period for the formation and development of women's education in England. The article examines the views on women's education on the example of the works of early English feminists. The purpose of the study is to show general trends in the views on the problem of women's education in the works of early English feminists of the XVII century B. Makin and M. Astell. Methodology and methods of the study. The study is based on the theoretical analysis of the treatises "An Essay to revive the ancient education of gentlewomen in Religion, Manners, Arts and Tongues" by B. Makin and "A serious proposal to the ladies" by M. Astell. The excerpts from these works demonstrate how urgent the problem of women’s education was in the second half of the XVII century in England. Study results. The ideas of early feminists, their ideas about women's education and the organization of schools have long been of great interest among Western researchers (R. Perry, P. Crawford, S. Ross, H. Smith, D. Donawerth, F. Teague, S. Kersey). Early English feminists were equally concerned with women's education, and considered the position of women in society as low and imposed by traditions, and attributed it to a lack of education. The above works have general tendencies, on the basis of which we can judge upon the problems of women's education in England of the XVII century. Both authors emphasize the equality of men and women in natural abilities, admit the low status of women due to the lack of education and point to the advantage of women's education for society and family. The basis of women's education, in their opinion, should be teaching languages, reading useful literature, studying philosophy, mathematics and rhetoric with the necessary minimum. The purpose of women's education was, in their opinion, to save women from ignorance and to help them to grow spiritually. Conclusion. The article deals with two treatises of the women thinkers belonging to different generations, but expressing, despite the age difference, similar ideas and principles of women's education, and emphasizing its necessity and benefit to society.
Keywords: 
women's education; Renaissance feminism; intellectual family; early English feminists; schools for girls
References: 

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