Women, teachers, journalists: pedagogical press of the Italian unification (1861-1885)

Abstract

Italy became a united nation in 1861. The problems faced by the new nation were numerous. Particularly, the modernisation of the country required a hard struggle against illiteracy and ignorance. Many schools were created and a significant recruitment of teachers took place, although educators had a limited curriculum and little knowledge in the field of teaching. To overcome these deficiencies educational magazines were deliberately made for women who, at various levels, were working at schools. Due to their pioneering nature we examine two magazines here: L’educatrice italiana and La Voce delle Donne, ran and written by the aforementioned women. Both magazines covered wage problems and endowed instruments such as reports, book reviews and teaching materials, highlighting the new image of women working outside the home and the concept of work as a first step towards emancipation.

Key words: schoolteachers, pedagogic press, schools, teaching, emancipation of women.