A critical review of gender and teacher education in Europe

Abstract

This article explores differences and similarities in various European national histories, politics, and traditions relating to gender relationships within and outside teacher education that have impacted on practices within schools and teacher education institutions. One crossnational feature has been the ‘feminisation’ (i.e. increasingly involvement of more women than men) in teaching and teacher education. Another has been the presence and impact of the European Union (EU). Questions explored in the article include the extent to which gender has been a discourse in European teacher education, and the theoretical and strategic approaches that need to be adopted to strengthen its present influence and impact.