406
THE CITY OF PORTLAND
the positive masculine force is necessary to secure the best results. But it certainly does prevail in districts that support elementary schools.
Here, then, are the reasons for the abandonment by men, and especially by young men, of the profession or vocation of teaching. In the first place the wages paid are not worth considering (except temporarily and as a stepping-stone), by capable ambitious men; next there is the sharp competition of capable women to be met; and furthermore there is the generally accepted view that women are better qualified by nature than are men to teach in elementary schools.
