On the Education of Girls at the Beginning of the 20th Century as Described in the Journal “Świat Kobiecy”

Abstract

This paper presents the issue of the education of girls as described in the weekly titled “Świat Kobiecy” (Women’s World), published in 1905–1906 by Zjednoczone Koło Ziemianek (the United Landladies’ Association). Analysis of 104 issues of that journal showed that it believed in the great importance of not only learning how to read and write, but also of the further education of women. It showed solutions adopted in that area in European countries and, on the other hand, proposed various ways to gain an education in Poland, describing specific types of schools and their locations. For the daughters of landowners, it recommended mainly occupational schools. It also provided detailed advice concerning the organization of home schooling to mothers of young girls who could not be educated in institutions for various reasons. For talented girls interested in their own intellectual development and having the necessary funds, it proposed secondary and university education. The approach of the editors of “Świat Kobiecy” fits the tendency of discussions concerning the education of women held at the beginning of the 20th century.