Men in childcare - Whats your point of view?

Question

I am an 18yr old man. I have been working with children for most of my life (i used to babysit for family) and when i was 16 i studied childcare at college and even had i job in a day nursery looking after children as young as a year old. I have now left that job to work in a school, where i was a bit shocked by the reaction from some of the parents.
The school although english, actully has mostly asian pupils, and have had on a few occasions 'incidents' with some of the parents.
For example, a parent actully said to me; "I dont trust men in schools, not after [Ian] huntly"
Do you think that this is unfair? (i do) I have had to go through the exact same security checks as all the other staff and i am compleatly clean. Also, and this is out of curiosty, what is the asian opion on this subject? Am i just being paranoid? or is there a reason for this hostility?

Answer 1

It is because of narrow minded fools like Mai C that you are feeling this way. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a man wanting to work in childcare. In my youngest daughters nursery there was a guy, he was the only one, working with about 20 females. Not once did I think he was a pervert, he was great with the kids, he had the qualifications needed, who on earth would study at college for 3 years so they could get a job where they might be able to molest children??!!! It's ridiculous the way some people think. There is also a guy at the after school club, he is at uni as-well because he wants to be a teacher and this is great work experience for him. Don't get me wrong, I do worry about my children with all those sickos out there but I'm more worried that they are living in my neighbourhood!! Jeez some guys like kids and want to work with them, I really don't see what the big deal is!! I'm not Asian so i'm afraid i cant help you with that part of the question. You do have a real job (drive a tractor?? what is she on??) and don't let these idiots tell you any different!!

Answer 2

I think people find it peculiar that a man would devote his working career to children. You will have to go the extra mile to prove yourself to the parents.
I think I too would be taken a back a bit to see a man in a position like that but it is the way of the future.
I don't know what else you can do to produce trust in the parents. I would stay away from all hugging or touching of the kids, you never know what will be misconstrued as not acceptable.
Good luck.

Answer 3

Childcares need men. My son went to childcare fulltime from 6 weeks (when i returned to work) and was becoming an absolute whimp in the second year, until they employed 2 blokes. Boys need men around them not just doting women. The blokes played footy with him, dodge ball etc which was a huge change from sitting with the woman making sand cakes in the sand pit.
I could only understand parents being worried if you were also a catholic priest..........

Answer 4

As a mother of a one year old girl, if I found out that a man was caring for my baby at nursery I would have to move my baby to another nursery forthwith. The fact remains that men are the most abusers of children in any country on earth. The fact that men are not all the same is not relevant to the discussion. Its only the likelihood of any man being an abuser that counts.

In any case what do you want to prove? Why not just get a manly job like everyone else?

If you want access to young boys you become leader of scouts
If you want access to children you become a priest in the catholic church
If you want access to single women you become a taxi driver
If you want access to men you commit a crime and get put in prison

Etc. So that is why I ask the question of what do you want that these babies can provide?

Answer 5

I think it is definitely injust, however, when it comes to protecting their children from potential harm, it's hard to blame parents for wanting to be on the safe side.

I think the injustice goes beyond the parents who are nervous to a society who has made it okay to victimize those with less power (rape and molestation- convictions are way below incidents) and protect the rights of the powerful (men: i.e. did she really not want to be raped?, etc).

I am sorry you encounter this. I think that the best way to make a change (as one of the powerful) is to push society to protect the more vulnerable members.

Answer 6

I do think it's unfair. Yes, our children should be protected. But just because you are a man doesn't mean that you won't take wonderful care of children. I had a similar experience that really freaked me out. I am a woman, but with no children. I love sports and wanted to coach a girls softball team. I was told that I must be wanting to coach for perverse reasons, seeing that I had no children of my own. Crazy, huh? Peace.

Answer 7

shouldn't be. As a mother of a boy I wish there were more male teachers. He does much better in school (behavior wise) when there's a man around. Don't worry about what people think...they cannot not hire you because you're a man or asian. if you like what you do then go for it

Answer 8

I don't know why, but there always is a suspicion of paedophilia. I think you are right - it is sad. Children need male role models as well. I'm not asian, by the way.

Answer 9

Generally men are not interested in the childcare field and if they are there is sceptism... Welcome to the world of sexism - why's it so hard for women to be firefighters; plant managers; etc. Something you'll have to face. Good luck!

Answer 10

You are doing something which is not a normal thing.Asian reaction is same.Human beings are same every where.Stick to your job.If you have confidence please wait for some time.Things will settle down.