Scrump
What I wrote was - In any folk gathering (UK) I have attended the majority will be connected with teaching/education. Spouses, siblings, friends or working directly in education.
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I will add to that ex-spouses etc. To further add to my experience which is all I can give an opinion on, (yours may be different), even on this thread, comments are :-

it was a teacher that told me it was what had encouraged her to take part in folk music

……………. despite her success, continued to go to university until she could get a teacher's licence

yes, Teachers and Social Workers, I noticed this phenomenon 30 years ago

Yeah, I know several people who started as teachers and then became folksingers.

I didn't used to teach, but now I also do (lecture).

Learnt my performing skills in folk clubs, then went on to teach in a university

Captain Swing (a teacher and ex folkie)

At my folk club we had not one, but two school heads, plus three teachers.

I was a folkie long before I was a teacher

I was a "folkie" for 20 years before training to be a teacher

I have to ask because I am a teacher, a folkie ………..

heavily involved in educational Television

While I've been a teacher for many years

My interest is because I've had a number in my classes
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All these comments just from posters to this thread. I have not said ALL folkies are teachers nor ALL teachers are folkies. Just 'in my experience' that teaching is predominant above other jobs/trades/professions.
I asked out of interest & have heard some very convincing theories. When discussing with friends (non-teachers) the general feeling seems to be that folk music was the 'in thing' at universities,colleges etc. in the sixties & early seventies & that is the age group in the average folk club in our area (N.E. England)
Thanks everyone for sharing your views!