Why are mostly women caregivers?

Question

In childcare, teaching, and nursing i have noticed a trend for there to be mostly women in that role? I am not saying there are not men so please do not take offence. I am just wondering why this trend is? Does it stem back to the older days when that's all women were thought to be good at? Is it just a patients thing where supposedly women have more of it for dealing with? Or is it something else. Would love to hear your thoughts. thanks for all answers.

What does breast feeding and care giving have to do in the same thing? just because a woman is only person able to breast feed doesn't mean she the only one who can be a caregiver to the gentleman who posted that answer. Also if you really feel that way i pray that when you get older that there is a woman whos interested enough in your life to take care of you!!!!

Answer 1

One reason is that many years ago those were the only things women were PERMITTED to do. Also, women have always been perceived as the more nurturing gender. Thanks to the women's movements of the 60s and 70s, and the laws against sex discrimination, women can do and be whatever they like. Of course, if you ask the right-wingers, they would like to see the clock turned back to the days when women were barefoot, pregnant and uneducated. Or just teachers and nurses. Frankly, I like that gender roles have blurred or disappeared. I've always been of the opinion the job should be done by whomever can do it, regardless of gender.
Just FYI: I'm male, and a nurse.

Answer 2

You mean "patience" right? Yes, it is leftover from times when the only thing women were expected to do was to be a caregiver. Change doesn't happen THAT fast. Things are changing, but it takes a lot of time. I do not believe that women are genetically geared to be caretakers if that is what you are asking. I am certainly NOT, and there are many others like me.

I hate that stereotype - that I'm "genetically engineered" to be some kind of a caretaker, and therefore am not as good at men at things like logical thinking, math, etc. What really pisses me off is that some women (as you can see from the responses to this question) still advocate and perpetuate that stereotype. MAYBE they feel they were born to be caretakers, but that doesn't mean all women feel that way.

Answer 3

This is a brilliant question. In think you touched on it a bit. Part of it is traditional. Part of it has to do with the natural makeup of different genders. Much of it is a matter of how men and women are raised. The fact is that it has a lot less to do with gender than it does with the way our society is built. If we raised our boys to be more caring individuals, then more of them would take on those kinds of roles. If you are a caregiver, though, then God bless you! We need people like you more and more

Answer 4

Part of it is 'stemming back to older days', or what anthropologists call 'cultural conditioning.' That means the culture expects certain roles of women, such as caring for other people, and children grow up learning that expectation. Historically and in other cultures, it has tended to be similar in many ways, in part because women are the sex that gives birth, tended to do less strenuous physical labor, and also because women tend to have better organizational/social skills and ability to negotiate interpersonal relationships.

Of course, not all women have this. I have the social skills of an engineer, myself.

Answer 5

Its funny because if you do your research in all cultures in history, women were significant people in society. They would fight and be great warriors, hunt and kill, hold great positions in government and on top of that were not seen as lesser beings. It wasnt until time went by that cultures in society where men despised women, and wanted to feel better about themselves made it illegal for women to do those things any longer and were tortured and enslaved to be their sexual gratifiers and kept in the home like a prison. Women have been suppressed for many centuries. I know in my culture, being Boricua, the taino people, the cacique women were the ones that held the highest positions in society. The men would also assist in things, in hunting and fighting, but usually they were the ones that were in the home to look good for their wives. If only things were how they once were:P Both men and women have the role to be caregivers, we have been conditioned in society more than men to take that role.

Answer 6

As for male teachers, most I know, myself included, can't stand the low pay and minimalist guidelines for enforcing classroom discipline. Men used to be counted as great teachers and teaching as a great profession. But a lot of men can't tolerate the 'herding cats' methods when they think children should first be taught to sit and shut up before the real lessons begin.

Additionally, there is the social stigma of touch. A woman teacher can hug her children, but male teachers have to remember what the current guidelines are to physical touch to children. And that too strikes them as so very, very wrong. Males touch too but are judged more frequently and scrutinized more closely when they do.

Answer 7

Not ture, but in the "olden days," men did the hunting and women stayed home to take care of the kinter. A Blessed Christmas to you, and Mr. Mom.

Answer 8

Caring nature. Genetically traits possible back to evolution when females make sure the next generation survives.

Answer 9

I believe it is the way we are created. We are built to nurture more than men.

Answer 10

That's like asking "Why do women breast feed?"