Compare And Contrast John Locke Vs Rousseau

Same-Gender Education
Locke vs. Rousseau

Kazsandra Génier 140892740 November 24, 2014
Word Count: 1711 Throughout history, philosophers have continued to contribute to the world of modernity. Theorists such as John Locke and Jean-Jacque Rousseau offer ideas that are both similar and contradicting. Locke argued the importance of equal education for men and women with a strict curriculum while Rousseau believed in a lenient curriculum focusing on nature and women not having a right to an education. Both, however, support the idea of children being educated by a tutor. Their theories can be applied to current events such as the idea of same-gender classrooms to allow for a new perspective.
Locke believed that humans were born as blank slates, "Tabula Rasa" and that education was what brought knowledge and reason into the minds of humans (Albanese, 2009). Locke often geared his discussions on education towards men, but he did not specifically believe only men should be educated. Locke thought men and women could be educated in a related fashion (Robinson, 2014). For Locke, education should have cultivated students minds to be free and rational (Albanese, 2009 ). According to him, this free and rational mind that was to be attained could be distorted by forcing children to learn in specific ways. He stated that learning and education should be seen as a form of play (Baldwin, n.d.). Not only this, but he also thought that learning should be enjoyable and that certain learning methods worked for some students but did not work for others, therefore, making learning un-enjoyable for those (Baldwin, n.d). Locke also explains that children should have a tutor at home who watched them closely and instructed them as well as their parent
I would agree and disagree with Locke 's philosophy regarding education. I certainly concede with his agreement that both men and women should be educated. The fact that Rousseau believed women would over power men if they obtained an education is preposterous. Without a doubt I believe that every human has a right to obtain an education no matter their gender, race or socioeconomic background. To hold a child captive from receive an education is ultimately cruel and insensible. With regards to Locke and Rousseau 's idea that the government should not be responsible for education and that it should be in the hands of a tutor, I would have to disagree -more with Locke than Rousseau. The risks that come a long with this method are many. Not only is the child sheltered by the beliefs of their parents and tutors, they are not given the opportunity to interact with other children, a crucial aspect in the growth and development of any child (Albanese, 2009). Regarding the issue of same gender classrooms, I do not feel this should be something available. Yes, it may make children feel more comfortable in a classroom setting, but at the same time it is a normal part of life for girls and boys to interact with one another. By putting children in co-ed class rooms, it allows them to engage in topics and ideas they