Humanity's Potential for Corruption
As a political philosopher, some might say, Rousseau's governing priorities all relate to the success of society. His ideal is an effective, harmonious human civilization, and he hopes to arrive there through philosophy. On Education focuses on the education of young men in order to function well in society -- civics, if you well, -- and Rousseau covers all aspects of education, from early childhood development. His particular emphasis is the establishment of virtues and skills in the child from a young age in order to prevent future corruption. Rather than relying upon society to perfectly interact with the next generation, Rousseau urges for children to be raised to improve society by adhering to its values, sans corruption. To him, the race to education a child is motivated by the overall corruption of human nature as it is demonstrated through human society. He wants to build a failsafe in the social order, by protecting children from a corrupt society that they may grow up and reform society.
Women as the Weaker Sex
Throughout the entire book, Rousseau only addresses the education of girls in the last section. His doctrines of philosophy apply predominantly to males. In fact, all he really writes upon the education of females is their necessity to be trained in the domestic arts as well as in etiquette for the specific reason of relating to their male counterparts. He clearly teaches the inferiority of women, advocating for them to be raised with an attitude of passivity and an eagerness to please men. He even goes so far as to conclude that women exist solely for men's pleasure. With such a long-reaching book, otherwise, Rousseau's very limitation in treatment of girls' education testifies to his opinion of the sex. He has much to say about boys, but the girls are only discussed in the context of their relationship to males.
Mastery
Rousseau teaches Emile mastery in his childhood, just preceding adolescence. Around this age Emile is taught a trade, perhaps apprenticed. He must learn to master this skill and carry it with him into his teen years, having devoted himself to the highest standard imaginable. This vocational mastery is mirrored in Emile's deductive education as a young child and his spiritual and social education as a teenager. Every stage of his education is designed to teach him overall mastery of his person. His journey into manhood is one of learning responsibility and government (of his person and affairs).
