<p>Veggiedog,</p>
<p>Thank you for an excellent comment. I hope you copy and paste it into the other thread on this subject started by Menloparkmom because I would hate for anyone to miss what you have to say.</p>
<p>I agree that a good solution would be to encourage schools to have more male teachers. Maybe the difference in our perspectives is that I see that as an effort to “slide the table towards males”, as you put it. I think education (and many areas of life) are like a seesaw that require us to balance interests. If we tip too far in one direction, we try to get back in balance. Offering incentives so that more men enter the teaching profession seems like a simple and cost-effective solution that I think is worth a try.</p>
<p>I’m sorry you have had a hard time and I wish you had had more support and encouragement from your teachers. However, I am impressed by your ability to articulate and analyze your situation, as well as your ability to empathize with boys in a similar position. I think you will accomplish a great deal because you have had to work harder. I know that doesn’t make it any easier to deal with, but you have my admiration and best wishes.</p>