A mohly jsme býti mnohé šťastny! Celibát učitelek v českých zemích v letech 1870–1919
“And Many of Us Could Have Been Happy.” The Celibacy of Female Teachers in Bohemian Lands in 1870–1919

Summary/Abstract: The article outlines the origin and development of the female teachers’ celibacy in Bohemian Lands from its enactment in 1870 till its abolition in 1919 in the context of origins and development of female teachers’ profession. The teachers’ celibacy was introduced in Bohemia in 1870, shortly after passing reform school laws. Its introduction in Moravia and Silesia took place much later, at the beginning of the 20th century. The reasons for adopting celibacy were based on time-conditioned ideas and prejudices on the women’s role and their status in society. The reasons were of economic nature and resulted from the idea that a married woman is secured by the income of her husband. Should she be supposed to work, it would have meant a double provision, which was not acceptable. Nor can the social reasons be omitted. For the mentality of 19th century, it was inconceivable for a woman to combine the role of a married woman – a housewife and a mother – and the profession of a teacher. The celibacy institution gradually became subject of hefty discussions surpassing the frame of professional periodicals. The article maps different views on the issue and argumentation used in the discussions.

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