The “Missing Males” and Other Gender Issues in Music Education: Evidence from the <i>Music Supervisors' Journal</i> , 1914-1924

Abstract

An analysis of gender-related references appearing in the Music Supervisors' Journal (MSJ) from 1914 through 1924 revealed that both coeducational and single-sex musical organizations abounded and that vocal and instrumental instruction for boys and girls was advocated. When one sex or the other was singled out for consideration, however, the spotlight usually was focused on males. In addition to the “missing males” problem, writers in the MSJ discussed the role of music in the education of boys, career opportunities in music for males, the relationship of music to the nature and character development of boys, boys' musical likes and dislikes, the male singing voice, and music for the man at war. By contrast, little attention was devoted exclusively to females, their interests, or their problems. This analysis invites reflection on whether gender issues pertaining to females continue to be overlooked by the music education profession today.