Mary
Wollstonecraft's Views on the Education of Women
Background Mary
Wollstonecraft's early life was one of dwindling fortune and frequent
upheaval. Mary's position as the oldest daughter, put her in charge
of 4 younger siblings, who were more than their mother's frail health
could manage. This responsibility, coupled with regular moves (8
times in 19 years) to follow her father's unsuccessful attempts to
make money, served to deprive Mary of security or confidence that a
man would take care of her.
Reform
and Innovation in Education
"Public education, of eery denomination, should be directed to form
citizens; but if you wish to make good citizens, you must first
exercise the affections of a son and a brother. This is the only way
to expand the heart; for public affections as well as private virtues
must ever grow out of the private character." (1)
-Mary Wollstonecraft