Only 4% of all workers in the childcare industry are men, what puts men off childcare ?

Question

We read that only 4% of all workers in the childcare industry are men, and yet male nannies (or 'Mannies' are now in high demand. What puts men off going into childcare ?

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article627118.ece

Answer 1

The attitudes of small minded others probably plays a large part given that some idiots believe a desire to do this kind of work is a clear signal to a man's sexuality, which it isn't and why should anyones sexuality be an issue anyway? Worse yet, the fear of being seen as some kind of preditory pervert. These small minded notions probably rob us of a lot of potentially excellent child care workers.

Answer 2

I worked in residential child care from 1989 until last year. Working with mainly teenagers, though I have worked with younger ages too.
To be honest, the gender issue is a dead duck. I have worked along side some women who just haven't got a clue when it comes to looking after children and I have found some male colleagues to be absolutely invaluable.
Some of the reasons give by some of the other respondents are valid, that there is a certain stigma applied to men who work with kids, but it is generally because of low wages, very antisocial hours, violence, health and safety over-regulation, and generally working for companies that care little about either staff or the children, just profits for venture capitalists..
Have a look at the link below if you want any further info on working in child care as I have get on in my new job, researcher, nothing to do with 'orrible kids !!

Answer 3

I think society and its expectations puts men of working in the childcare industry ...

Usually the role of childcare is dominated by females ....

I have had a male nanny and he was fantastic and very good with both of my children ...

At my daughters nursery they had a male worker and my daughter loved him ..

Years ago males chefs were mocked and now the industry is dominated by males ...

I think men are put off for numerous reasons .. eg how they will be perceived by others and the ridicule

Answer 4

A good friend of mine is a male childminder. He is 6'4" (which makes no odds to me, but it makes him stand out in a crowd) and gets some very odd looks from judgemental prats when he takes the children out. Someone did once question him, presuming that he was some sort of paedophile. I don't know many men who would deal with this well on a daily basis - but without them doing so, we'll never progress. It is sad.

There are, of course, daft macho attitudes still prevalent in our society about masculine and feminine roles, which remain at the fore through socialisation.

Attitudes have slowly changed somewhat: I did a Child Psychology course 15 years ago and there were 5 boys and 21 girls in the class (up until that year, only girls had chosen to take it.)

Not being an idiot, I am into individualism: I have seen plenty of men who are great with kids and plenty of women who aren't.

Then there are the hysterics who are think that the men who want to spend time with children are strange, or are likely to abuse them, which is a very sad and ignorant way to think.

Answer 5

Lack of regulation - Not all agencies have full background checks, so parents will be less comfortable with a stranger looking after their youngsters.

And if the children were old enough to know too much, they could play the babysitter/nanny and make false accusations if, for example they were not allowed to sit up a little later than normal.

I know one teacher whose career was destroyed by a teenage girl who accused him of touching her inappropriately. He protested his innocence throughout and the two friends who initially backed her story later confessed they had lied and withdrew their statements. The teacher was initially suspended but when he was reinstated, the school was picketed by angry relatives of the girl who lied and he has since left teaching. It happens. It's a black mark that follows a man everywhere even when he IS innocent.

No man wants that to follow him around.

Answer 6

What puts women off jobs that involve construction? I worked OTR utility construction for 15 years with hundreds upon hundreds if not thousands of other men yet in that time I literally worked with only 5 women.

Answer 7

there are becomeing more than there used to be but just like women in the police force there are not alot but it is increasing
well males still look at child care as the womens job women used to stay at home and take care of the children while the male went of to work and it is just the way men are brought up the do not want a job that doesnt show their masculinity but times are changing and you will see a very slight increase in the nest few years

Answer 8

Poor pay is part of it - and some parents are a bit iffy about male childcare workers

Answer 9

Looking after children has always been seen as a woman's job. I have respect for men who take the role or are in the position as they are single parents. Men and women equally do an excellent job of looking after children. I think some men are put off as they don't know how to handle children

Answer 10

I'll go with one of the previous answers and say that it is the paedophile accusations. I teach young children and get derogatory comments from people about my job. It's hard to teach children and be kind without people jumping to conclusions.