They are often discouraged from running around, exploring the world and obeying their instincts, and instead are forced to go against those instincts. Children are compelled to obey adult rules and laws, and 'sit still and learn' when they are told to do so.
While Rousseau's belief about when children should learn to read seems fairly late, especially considering what we now know about the development of the human brain, his stress upon learning through doing seems valuable. Rousseau would strongly support having art, music, and hands-on aspects of education in the schools, which he would see as more in keeping with natural childhood inclinations. Although Rousseau was an idealist, many of his suggestions can be translated into more practical applications, especially in the natural sciences and the arts.
Chapter 5: How did Rousseau view women in general, as mothers and as wives? Which of his opinions are still fairly prevalent?
Some of Rousseau's views, like his belief in the magical...
However, given his fiercely physical and vigorous program of education for Emile, his advice about the education of women seems shockingly reactionary. Emile's future wife, Sophie, is to be taught that she is passive and weak. Only one of the sexes can dominate, according to Rousseau. Rousseau's belief in the natural strength of males and the inherent difference between the sexes is still sadly present in some educational environments today, where girls may be overlooked in classes, and boys dominate class discussion. Yet according to the media there have been some parents of sons who complain they regret how girls are 'overtaking' boys in school and higher education, and advocate tailoring the school day to make it less verbal and more physically active to suit the needs of boys. The education of girls to be 'equal' with boys is still controversial and threatening when women strive to achieve real party with their male counterparts.
