Some Peculiarities of the First Women’s Colleges Functioning in the USA

Abstract The function of the first women’s colleges in the USA is singled out. They expanded opportunities for women to get higher level of education, taking into account the fact that at that time women were not allowed to enter higher education establishments on equal footing with men. Some structural peculiarities of the first women’s colleges are viewed. By educational level colleges for women in that period were subdivided into two-year colleges, four-year colleges and universities. Financing peculiarities of the first women’s colleges in the USA are analysed. According to the source of financing colleges were private and public. The factors that led to the development of women’s education are analysed. Insufficient number of teachers in schools and widespread printed literature led to the need of involvement women in higher education. Teachers thought that intellectual abilities of men and women were equal, because women were not in social deprivation, and should participate fully in the life of civil society after obtaining knowledge in educational institutions. Due to scientific and technological revolution a number of devices that allow women to save time for economic affairs was worked out and, in turn, for this reason women could focus more on gaining knowledge for mastering future profession. The goals of women’s colleges establishment are analysed. Some teachers tried to train teachers, taking into account the shortage of teachers in schools due to expansion of the school network. Other teachers tried to give scientific and religious education and improve health of girls. The third group of teachers wanted to teach women self-education. The specifics of functioning of the first ɋatholic women’s colleges is analysed. Catholic leaders raised the question of expanding the network of Catholic women’s collegei due to insufficient number of religious teachers who have had some education level, because of the inability of church leaders to leave the church for educational services in colleges. In the USA, a peculiar feature of teaching in Catholic colleges was that the purpose of providing educational services was not only the development of intellectual abilities and training for future careers, but also spiritual development of students, which is the foundation of the Catholic faith.