
Well, I don't think they're claiming to have a monopoly on stress :-). But Doctors etc have similar complaints and I think they are justified. The stress comes from the government wanting to run Public services like Private companies, and hold to them to the same checks and balances. But they are not the same at all. The "product" in this case is Human beings, and you can't process them like components in a factory.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 22:14, Reply)

But the woman from the teacher's union made a list of complaints that are almost universal to all jobs, and then claimed that this is why teaching was particularly stressful. That's claiming a monopoly on stress in my book.
Also, I'm sure there are people here who know teachers who've suffered stress, but I reckon you could say the same for a lot of jobs, I know I could. And although this is harsh, if you're so stressed by a job that you have a breakdown or cannot continue to do it, then you clearly aren't right for that job. Similarly, someone who is 5ft tall and weighs 6 stone probably isn't cut out to be a bouncer. I found myself working in a very stressful environment and in 2 years took 2 months of with stress, I accepted that I wasn't cut out for it and got a different job.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 22:25, Reply)

doesn't mean that teaching isn't stressful
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 22:37, Reply)

Only that the stress they experience is common to loads of jobs, but somehow they're pleading that they're a special case.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 22:40, Reply)

Like I say, it's the same with Doctors. Dealing with seriously injured people or resentful children is a raw and ancient Human challenge. And the stress it brings is more personal and soul consuming than a lot of other jobs. It's certainly different than the type of emotional challenges you'll encounter when delivering furniture for DFS anyway.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 22:57, Reply)

the woman in that article certainly didn't put forward any claims that would support the argument. There was certainly no mention of the type of emotional challenges that teachers faced.
As every job is different, the details of what causes the stress are going to be different. But to claim your job is particulalry stressful because your bosses put pressure on you to perform well or give you new and different tasks, is just ridiculous.
Also, if you find emotional challenges stressful, don't become a teacher. Its really simple.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 23:13, Reply)

My Dad was a teacher for 26 years and consistently had good results, he taught at some high profile schools, expensive ones, which you might think made his job easier. It didn't. He got so stressed out and fed up with the stipulations and prescribed curriculums put upon him by people that hadn't really done a teaching job (quangos) that he left the profession. I know he was a good teacher, so many of his students still get in touch with him from time to time to let him know what they are doing and to thank him. He took a job with the council supervising a traveller site, even though he was in constant liason with the police because of the crimes they had comitted he deemed it less stressful and frustrating. Because he wasn't allowed to TEACH anymore, only to impart the prescribed information. This is why so many good teachers don't do it anymore. I am looking at teaching abroad, somewhere things are a bit more about the students needs and less about what is required of them by a government set curriculum. It is after all a fundamentally needs led profession.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 23:06, Reply)

also, its extremely commmon for people who spend a long time in one career to get worn down and dilillusioned with how the job has changed. It happens in every industry I've worked in (quite a few). That doesn't mean teaching has become more stressful, just that your Dad became disillusioned with his job. I'd also wager that your dad found his new job less stressful because it was a change and something new to challenge him.
EDIT: Shouldn't have started this debate when I'm this tired. Off to bed now, not ignoring you. Good luck in your job, its good to hear someone motivated about their career:)
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 23:17, Reply)

Massive generalisation, assuming your statement didn't mean that "some" teachers are pleading a special case.
Edit: and yes you are 75% right about my dads dissillusionment. Although that in itself was very stressful for him, after 26 years, you are going be a bit stressed and depressed about leaving a job that you once loved.
( , Thu 10 May 2012, 23:21, Reply)