THE BURDEN OF LAST RESORT: DEFEATISM IN PROSPECTIVE TEACHERS WHO ENTER TEACHING UNWILLINGLY

The present study explores the psychological construct of defeatism among prospective teachers, particularly in relation to their preference for entering the teaching profession. In India, teaching is often regarded as a fallback career due to low social status, low remuneration, and limited career growth — as such, many teacher trainees enter the profession not out of passion, but due to a lack of alternatives. This research investigates whether such reluctance correlates with defeatist attitudes — marked by low motivation, pessimism, and diminished self-efficacy. A descriptive survey design was employed, involving 100 B.Ed. students from three teacher training colleges in Bhopal. Data was collected through a self-constructed defeatism scale and preference ranking questions. Results revealed that one-tenth of participants reported teaching as their least preferred profession, nearly half of the prospective teachers moderately preferred it, and just two fifth (42%) marked it as their most desired career. Regarding defeatism, 72% demonstrated average levels, 19% low, and 9% high, with a significant chi-square value indicating non-random distribution. Correlation and regression analyses showed a statistically significant, though modest, negative relationship between preference for teaching and defeatism (R = -0.310, p < .01), suggesting that lower professional preference is associated with higher levels of defeatist beliefs. However, post hoc comparisons showed only the average vs. low defeatism groups differed significantly in teaching preference. The findings of the study highlight a troubling trend. Many future educators approach the profession with moderate defeatism and limited enthusiasm, which may have profound implications for teacher efficacy, student outcomes, and the future of education. Interventions aimed at enhancing motivation, self-efficacy, and positive professional identity among prospective teachers are urgently needed.