Men considering (and choosing) teaching as a career: what accounts for their decision to become a teacher?

AbstractThe aim of the current study is to better understand the decision-making of men considering teaching as a career option. By means of a longitudinal study (n = 226), we examined the persistence of male academic high-school students in Switzerland interested in teaching during transition to higher education. For 85 men attending information events for teacher education, using regression analysis we explore factors contributing to their decidedness and volition before enrolling for teacher education studies. The findings reveal that only a very small number of male academic high-school students are interested in teaching. Those who are, however, are persistent in their study choice. Results of the regression analysis show that an interest in working with children and youth, the importance of having free time for other things and having professional experience working with children contribute to the likelihood of men having decided to take up teacher education studies.