Would you be suspicious of any man who wanted to become a teacher, especially a primary school teacher?

Question

I would be.

Teaching in schools should be a female only profession.

Answer 1

I would be more concerned about someone like you having access to the Internet with children on it than I would a male teaching my children.

After reviewing many of your questions and answers there is reason to suspect you of having the wrong motives.

Answer 2

At the primary school where I am a parent governor, we have two excellent male teachers. They are fantastic with the kids and adored by the children, TA's, teachers, parents and other staff alike. Both are obviously gay, and have told us so, both have excellent qualifications and brilliant cv's. Every teacher, member of staff, Teaching Assistant and Governor should always have had to complete a form and the school be in receipt of a full Disclosure from Scotland Yard. This gives details of absolutely anything and everything that appears on their police record, whether a caution, a fine, a parking ticket or something more sinister. Without these, they are not permitted to work.

Females are just as capable of harming children as males are, we cannot just go around discriminating against people for their race, gender, sexual orientation or religious beliefs, as it would lead to discrimination cases all over the place. We also cannot assume someone is guilty as a kiddie fiddler just because they are male and have a desire to work with children. Let's face it, Holly and Jessica were brutally murdered by a man who was a school caretaker, not a teacher.

There are far more women teachers than men, out of the teaching staff of thirty (including SEN and TAs) the two I mentioned above are the only two. There are some external sports trainers who are men, and two other young men who are responsible along with three females for the aftershchool club and breakfast club. We had another male TA who left a year ago to work with seriously disadvantaged kids and he was amazing, the children really related to him. Many of these children have no positive male role model and these teachers and TA's provide a sense of how a man ought to behave, instead of the ones they may know who behave irresponsibly. I understand your concerns, but quite frankly, they are unfounded.

Answer 3

Based on that logic, women should only be teachers, nurses, and office Secretaries. The idea of Gender based careers is an outdated and ignorant policy.

I am a male, and I am studding to be a primary school teacher. And while I am one of the few men in my schools program, I find nothing wrong with it. Many of my instructors say it is a good thing to see more men in the classroom. My mother also happens to be a teacher, and she agrees with male teachers, as well as her co-workers.

While there is a stereotype of male teachers out there, just is proof that no one is safe from prejudices, or stupidity. The schools monitor there teachers much more closely them stated in the media, and checks are in place to protect buth teacher and student. I would like to see you reasoning for a female only career. Present a factual arguement, and we can see if you have anything to contribute to this question.

Answer 4

man, as a guy who went into elementary education, I am amused by your perspective on this.
It is unusual enough that I had an easier time getting job interviews in a job market that is really competitive in education right now. Gee there was a time when men taught all grade levels. (if you want to be really old fashioned)
Yes I have to accept that my future wife may make more money than me someday. But I can sleep at night. I know that the boys need good role models. I know that i can get through to kids in a way that other teachers may not be able to. I could have gone into medicine or into teaching- teaching sounded like more of a challenge. ( It is a challenge!) I know that i am needed in my chosen profession and its important to me to have a job where I can do good in the world.

Answer 5

Why? There are some women who molest children, too. I am tired of hearing about the double standard in education today. The poor young boys have no male role models to look up to at home and at school! At my old school, I was the ONLY male K-6 teacher in the building. At the school district where I teach now, I am the only male special education teacher in the ENTIRE district! Comment like the one you made make men afraid to teach primary level students.

Answer 6

No way, what a stupid question! I think there are far too few men teaching in primary schools at the moment, it's healthy for children, especially boys, to have older male role models in their lives. I think there's a useless stereotype that teaching, especially primary teaching, should be left to women because women are more maternal and therefore it's their job to educate young children. Children need contact with both sexes in their early years, there was only 1 male teacher in my school and everyone wished they were in his class because he was the favourite teacher in the school. I don't think anyone who wants to become a teacher must automatically be a raging paedo, I think they actually just enjoy teaching! Not all men are driven by sexual urges, how about just having a desire to teach! And also you're assuming just because someone's a woman it means they can't harm kids. There's a stronger case for saying no men should be allowed to be priests or vicars because of all the abuse cases that have come to light!

Answer 7

No. I know excellent male primary school teachers and equally good female ones too. I see no need for discrimination.
In the case of single-sex schools, would you be suspicious of women who were teaching little boys? Or would you still have misgivings about a male teacher?

Answer 8

Absolutely not! I know some fantastic male teachers in primary education. It would be horrific to have some sleazy pre-judgement of them because they want to work with young children! It would be so unbalanced for children to have women constantly between the ages of 5 and 11 and no male influences. I think sadly that men can be put off from teaching at primary level because of the preconceived ideas of men and young children. All power to them - come on male primary teachers!!!

Answer 9

You're entitled to have a wrong opinion. :) Given how many FEMALE teachers have molested male students, I'd say either gender should be looked upon with suspicion if we were to use your logic. ALL teachers should be held to high moral standards. Many male teachers do a great job without EVER thinking of doing something horrific to his students. Perhaps YOU should never be a teacher, but that doesn't mean every man is a pervert. If I were a man, I'd be highly offended.

Answer 10

I thought this sort of thinking went out with the ark. Primary school teaching is a highly specialised job and in no way should it be closed to either sex. It is vitally important that primary age children have role models of both sexes.

Answer 11

I would applaud anyone who wishes to teach and is a motivated teacher. There are not enough male role models in school and those that are tend to move to senior jobs or managing.
If the checks have been made and the person is supervised during their training then your assumptions are entirely groundless and biased.