NationStates Jolt Archive

Call for more male nursery staff

Men are being urged to take jobs in nurseries after a survey suggested many parents want their toddlers to have more contact with male role models.

For every 100 people working in childcare, only two are men.

The Children's Workforce Development Council questioned 1,000 parents about the issue of men working in nurseries.

Single mothers appear to be particularly concerned, with 66% saying they would like a man to be involved in their child's development.

However, of the parents questioned, 59% said there was not a single man employed at the nursery to which they sent their child.

'Job for a man'

The survey suggests 17% of children have fewer than two hours of contact time per week with a male adult, and 39% have less than six hours a week.

Source (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7838273.stm)

Just over half of those surveyed, 57%, said they believed men and women had different skills to offer young children in their care.

Currently around 3,000 men work in early years childcare - about 2% of the workforce.

The CWDC is calling for more men to consider working in early years settings. They say it is crucial for children under the age of five to have contact with a responsible male adult.

Thom Crabbe, the council's national development manager, said the career could bring great rewards.

"Male workers will get to work in a challenging, stimulating environment with like-minded professionals dedicated to the development of children - with positive benefits to babies, toddlers and young children to families and communities," he said.

"Traditionally, it's not been seen as a job for men, and we need to challenge that.

"The rewards and job satisfaction reported in early years childcare is very high for both women and men," he added.

However, campaign group the Daycare Trust, said it was unlikely many more men would be attracted to the career until wages were improved in the sector.

Male role models

Tricia Pritchard from the union Voice - which represents nursery nurses and other childcare and education staff across the UK - said children needed male as well as female role models.

"There are far more children nowadays who come from one parent families and, generally speaking, those one parent families have a female parent rather than a male parent, so children aren't getting a male role model at home," she said.

"And at nursery and in school - because of the predominantly female workforce - they aren't getting a male role model there either.

"However, unless more is done to improve the pay, working conditions, training, career development and status of nursery staff, I fear that men - and, increasingly, women - will not be attracted to childcare as a profession.

"The problem is self-perpetuating - as children go through nurseries with predominantly female staff, they've grown up perceiving it as a female profession, so when young men come to choose their own career, they don't tend to think of childcare because they see it as 'female.'"

most of you are jobless bums who like to talk about ethics and such so why not get a lovely job caring for children! (unless your a woman in which case get a job as a builder and stop polluting those poor children:tongue:)

anyway beside the blatant career ad* I've heard that children these days lack strong male role models and that this can cause the chav what say you? should there be more community programs set up for parents to fob off their kids or should we spend more on trying to patch up the broken home thingy?

I'm a long haired, shabbly dressed dude with a fu manchu mustache and a three inch long uncle sam goatee...you think I can even get on the grounds of one of these places without the cops being called, much less apply for work?

I'm a long haired, shabbly dressed dude with a fu manchu mustache and a three inch long uncle sam goatee...you think I can even get on the grounds of one of these places without the cops being called, much less apply for work?

as long as you cruelly reject children's signs of affection such as attempted cuddling :cool: (seriously its in the rules)

also you can work modern technology such as a vcr...

most of you are jobless bums who like to talk about ethics and such so why not get a lovely job caring for children! (unless your a woman in which case get a job as a builder and stop polluting those poor children:tongue:)

anyway beside the blatant career ad* I've heard that children these days lack strong male role models and that this can cause the chav what say you? should there be more community programs set up for parents to fob off their kids or should we spend more on trying to patch up the broken home thingy?

I can think of few things I hate more than children... I'm in grad school for a reason, and it's not to deal with someone else's brat. I find that I hate children so much, I make Disney villians look like caring parental figures.

This many sound like I'm fitting a Jewish stereotype, but for me, a job should be measured in how much it pays first and how much you enjoy it second. When I get out of grad school, becoming a history teacher won't make me a millionare, but I'll be a hell of a lot better off than I was when I taught at a private high school.

If some of you people out there can do it, hats off to you... Just make sure you wipe the kid's snot off before you shake my hand.

I can think of few things I hate more than children... I'm in grad school for a reason, and it's not to deal with someone else's brat. I find that I hate children so much, I make Disney villians look like caring parental figures.

you just wait, your man-ovaries will kick in one day and you will find yourself freaking the Mrs out by telling her how darling children are!

This many sound like I'm fitting a stereotype, but for me, a job should be measured in how much it pays first and how much you enjoy it second. When I get out of grad school, becoming a history teacher won't make me a millionare, but I'll be a hell of a lot better off than I was when I taught at a private high school.

I can understand this, hell I quit this career because I realized I was essentially feeding myself on the volunteer work I do

you could always use it working in hotels if you ever decide to travel though >.>

If some of you people out there can do it, hats off to you... Just make sure you wipe the kid's snot off before you shake my hand.

there are worse things you can get on your hands.

Not a hope. I don't fancy either the pay, or utter lack of self-dignity, such a job would provide.

Hmm, don't think that would work out too well. I'm not a particularly patient person when it comes to people so i'd probably be too good at cruelly rejecting signs of affection. That and my pathetic attempts at a beard make me look a little too thuggish.

three inch long uncle sam goatee...

Damn you :(


Besides, i'm quite happy being a "lazy" student at the moment.

Not a hope. I don't fancy either the pay, or utter lack of self-dignity, such a job would provide.

...you get a free cooked lunch of all the leftovers though and lonely single moms (I'm a bad person.)

you just wait, your man-ovaries will kick in one day and you will find yourself freaking the Mrs out by telling her how darling children are!



I can understand this, hell I quit this career because I realized I was essentially feeding myself on the volunteer work I do

you could always use it working in hotels if you ever decide to travel though >.>



there are worse things you can get on your hands.

We Jews pride ourselves on our hard-nosed (Ha, get it? I just cracked a joke on my own people!) personalities... I'm 26 years old and I've hated children since I could no longer consider myself one.

I just realized I wrote "history teacher..." Which is an error. What I meant to say is "History professor!" I was a history teacher for two years and I hated every minute of it.

I don't masturbate, if that's what you're implying. :p

Regardless, I hope your new job works out better for you.

Not a hope. I don't fancy either the pay, or utter lack of self-dignity, such a job would provide.

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?

See I think the main problem is society's perception of a man at a daycare. I bet parents would think the guy is a child molester right off the bat.


$10.

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?

The mechanics of it. If you're concerned about being dignified looking after children is generally not a great career to be in. Unless you go Victorian style nanny on them.

I hate small children with few exceptions and keep my head shaved, wear offensive clothing, worn, often slightly ripped jeans, and an oversized, old leather jacket (I got it as a hand-me-down from my uncle when I was 14. He's a big guy). Oh, and for the past 3 years many people, myself included, to try and keep me from doing things like swearing constantly and loudly in public. So far nothing has been successful. I'd fit in like a salad bar at a krispy kreme.

most of you are jobless bums who like to talk about ethics and such so why not get a lovely job caring for children! (unless your a woman in which case get a job as a builder and stop polluting those poor children:tongue:)

anyway beside the blatant career ad* I've heard that children these days lack strong male role models and that this can cause the chav what say you? should there be more community programs set up for parents to fob off their kids or should we spend more on trying to patch up the broken home thingy?

Count me in for Elementary Ed. a few years down the road. :D

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?

It's totally ghey.

I do sub work as a favor to someone already.

I wear a long black coat and a top hat,
and underneath, a vest with pocket watches in,
whilst sporting a different kind of mustache/beard every month.
(Never seem to find The One.;))
Good/bad in that line of work?..Hard to tell.

And while children have always loved me,
I find that I can not tolerate children in their "fluids" year,
meaning those under 5-6,
when snot,drool,food and all manner of things fly all over the place.

Otherwise, I am quite fond of children and can't wait until I get my own.

I work with kids (preschool), and I like it. I also look somewhat odd (six foot tall male; 21 years-old; waist length hair; scars along my arms; long finger nails on my thumbs, index-fingers, middle-fingers, which are in contrast to the close cropped pinky and ring-finger nails; just on this side of looking like a hobo; two-day stubble; and a smile that shows way too many teeth, including a right canine that has been broken half-off). I even play tag with the kids sometimes.
It works for me, and most of the parents seem cool with it, I even get a couple thank-you cards at the end of every year.

However,
I'm a long haired, shabbly dressed dude with a fu manchu mustache and a three inch long uncle sam goatee...you think I can even get on the grounds of one of these places without the cops being called, much less apply for work?
That facial hair would probably cause some problems. Unless, maybe if you dyed each "strand" a different color you could go for a Willy-Wonka-vibe.

Or that might actually make it worse, now that I think about it.

I hate small children with few exceptions and keep my head shaved, wear offensive clothing, worn, often slightly ripped jeans, and an oversized, old leather jacket (I got it as a hand-me-down from my uncle when I was 14. He's a big guy). Oh, and for the past 3 years many people, myself included, to try and keep me from doing things like swearing constantly and loudly in public. So far nothing has been successful. I'd fit in like a salad bar at a krispy kreme.

Wow, you sound so cool, being a rebel like. Can I have your autograph?

Wouldn't personally want to work with children, but the social stigma that it's a woman's job to care for children, being a nurse and all that, I don't agree with. What's un-manly about saving lives?

However,

That facial hair would probably cause some problems. Unless, maybe if you dyed each "strand" a different color you could go for a Willy-Wonka-vibe.

Or that might actually make it worse, now that I think about it.

I keep threatening to dye it orange red and yellow so it looks like a flame, but that's usually met with counter threats...

I keep threatening to dye it orange red and yellow so it looks like a flame, but that's usually met with counter threats...
I was thinking more purple for the goatee, blue on one arm of the fu manchu and red on the other. Either way, the thought of someone walking around with colored facial hair like that gets more disturbing as I think about it.

I was thinking more purple for the goatee, blue on one arm of the fu manchu and red on the other. Either way, the thought of someone walking around with colored facial hair like that gets more disturbing as I think about it.

The goatee itself used to be green and the mustache put up past my eyeballs like Salvidor Dali...then I decided one morning that I was putting a great deal of effort into looking like an idiot. I don't have a problem looking silly, I just don't want to have to go that far out of my way to do it.

Amen. The faculty of my school is completely female. Our teachers are female, our office staff are female, even our janitors are female. Yet we have a significant percentage of students who come from single-family homes without a father (though we have some the other way, too). I think a lot of our students would benefit from seeing more teachers who look like them.

Amen. The faculty of my school is completely female. Our teachers are female, our office staff are female, even our janitors are female. Yet we have a significant percentage of students who come from single-family homes without a father (though we have some the other way, too). I think a lot of our students would benefit from seeing more teachers who look like them.

An all female well educated staff you say...?



Oh, right...the issues...



...carry on...

An all female well educated staff you say...?



Oh, right...the issues...



...carry on...

I would be way more for it if there wasn't a distinct lack of hotness. And a distinct presence of Christian heterosexism.

I hate small children with few exceptions and keep my head shaved

There are teachers with shaved heads.

worn, often slightly ripped jeans,

You'd be a hit with some of the boys.

and an oversized, old leather jacket (I got it as a hand-me-down from my uncle when I was 14. He's a big guy).

That's not scary, that's just lazy and unattractive. Kids don't care much about either.

Oh, and for the past 3 years many people, myself included, to try and keep me from doing things like swearing constantly and loudly in public.

I curse like a drunken sailor who's just seen a prostitute for the first time after a year at sea. Yet I turn it off at work. Funny thing, having higher executive functioning.

As bad-ass as you seem to want to be, most kids aren't dissuaded by any of that stuff. What they can't stand is a grown-up Pollyanna. Little kids have powerful bullshit detectors.

I was a Substitute Teacher...does that count? :p

I was a stay-at-home dad for a year and I loved it. At least, I loved bonding with my daughter. The social stigma of being a stay-at-home dad and the odd looks I'd get from mothers at parent-and-tot programs I didn't love so much. What single mothers say in a survey and how they behave around men taking an active interest in childrearing are not one and the same.

Do you know why they have no males?

Because they treat them like they're all sexual predators.

Seriously.

I was a stay-at-home dad for a year and I loved it. At least, I loved bonding with my daughter. The social stigma of being a stay-at-home dad and the odd looks I'd get from mothers at parent-and-tot programs I didn't love so much. What single mothers say in a survey and how they behave around men taking an active interest in childrearing are not one and the same.

What do you mean odd looks?

That would be a dream come true for me. After college, I could just paint and make art all day, take care of the kiddos and let the wifey bring home the bacon. That sounds like the life.

Also, my cousin has two boys. He works really hard, then he comes home, his stupid gf/wife person (I'm not really sure what... I don't see any love there) leaves half the time to go party (yet.. she never shows up at family parties.. how strange) and he takes care of the kiddos very well. He's a great dad.

Why the hell aren't the FATHERS of these children being the role models? Does anyone stay married these days or even raise their own children, or does everyone expect the daycare and public school system to do it for them?

The mechanics of it. If you're concerned about being dignified looking after children is generally not a great career to be in. Unless you go Victorian style nanny on them.

I'm curious as to how I'm undignified.

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?

It's hardly informed, intelligent and demanding work.

It's hardly informed, intelligent and demanding work.

Try going without it.

It's totally ghey.

Not so much, a gay man couldn't go near a daycare job. Be fucking lynched as a pedo.

Why the hell aren't the FATHERS of these children being the role models? Does anyone stay married these days or even raise their own children, or does everyone expect the daycare and public school system to do it for them?

Because their exes are fucking bitches?

Try going without it.

Immaterial. Many, if not most, jobs necessary for the good functioning of society are poorly paid, unintelligent work; their importance does not provide, for me, adequate recompense for the pay and social perceptions of such jobs.

Why the hell aren't the FATHERS of these children being the role models? Does anyone stay married these days or even raise their own children, or does everyone expect the daycare and public school system to do it for them?

looking at most parents its maybe for the best that the children experience godlike heros such as myself

It's hardly informed, intelligent and demanding work.

I think you find it is :p
(http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=dMdTBep3W9c&feature=related)
Otherwise, I am quite fond of children and can't wait until I get my own.

try the ball pit there are plenty in there >.>

Do you know why they have no males?

Because they treat them like they're all sexual predators.

Seriously.

this.

you shouldn't feel like a goddamn criminal when your playing tag

social perceptions of such jobs.

I think you will find that its not so bad being a hero chicks dig the paternal instinct angle

I think you will find that its not so bad being a hero chicks dig the paternal instinct angle

I'm taken. Not that the affections of single mothers would necessarily be unwelcome, but as of present, TBC be in a relationship for 14 months.

I used to hate children. Now that I have one I think they're adorable -- funny how that works. Seems to have had the same effect on Mr. TFA. I don't think either of us would take a job in daycare, though, just because the pay's crap. I would think that's a barrier to getting more guys into the job. There are loads more male nurses now that the pay has gone up due to demand.

I'm taken. Not that the affections of single mothers would necessarily be unwelcome, but as of present, TBC be in a relationship for 14 months.

average longterm relationship lasts 3 years at most so you got awhile yet I guess:p

Seems to have had the same effect on Mr. TFA.

its your man-ovaries I tell you!

I'm taken. Not that the affections of single mothers would necessarily be unwelcome, but as of present, TBC be in a relationship for 14 months.

Single mothers, you KNOW they put out.

average longterm relationship lasts 3 years at most so you got awhile yet I guess:p


Given I've had dreams about conversing with my ex, who I never wanted to break up with, of late, and am finding fidelity a teeny bit difficult, 3 years may be pushing it.

It's hardly informed, intelligent and demanding work.

Teaching primary school actually does take a lot of education...

Teaching primary school actually does take a lot of education...

Yeah, right. Which is why the highest academic percentile just pours into primary education.

Yeah, right. Which is why the highest academic percentile just pours into primary education.

What? They do??
To be a teacher you need a degree... methods of making kids learn requires knowledge of psychology and linguistics

What? They do??
To be a teacher you need a degree... methods of making kids learn requires knowledge of psychology and linguistics

You require a qualification equivalent to a degree, but, in reality, do you honestly believe that the genuine academic elite even countenance primary teaching?

You require a qualification equivalent to a degree, but, in reality, do you honestly believe that the genuine academic elite even countenance primary teaching?

Then, are you trying to say that if a job is mentally demanding, it better be the MOST mentally demanding or else it is not masculine?

Then, are you trying to say that if a job is mentally demanding, it better be the MOST mentally demanding or else it is not masculine?

Silly you. Teacher asks the questions, remember? ;)

Don't try to arouse TBC's enthusiasm for teaching. He'd be HORRIBLE at it.

Silly you. Teacher asks the questions, remember? ;)

Don't try to arouse TBC's enthusiasm for teaching. He'd be HORRIBLE at it.

I'd be excellent. Irwin more than Hector, definitely, but excellent in a proper public school.

Then, are you trying to say that if a job is mentally demanding, it better be the MOST mentally demanding or else it is not masculine?

No, I was responding to a slightly tangential matter upon which masculinity had no relevance. You should know, what with your having raised it.

Frankly, I couldn't give a flying fuck about "masculinity". An anachronistic abstraction that, at best, provides harmless comic stereotypes.

I wouldn't care about being a male nurse, but the position to get there is so much work.

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?
let's see (having worked in childcare with infants and two's for 9 years) being elbow deep in diaper poo 8 hours a day and not paid a living wage? Finding yourself actually crying for joy over a poo that made it TO the toilet? Knowing all the lyrics to every Barney song known to man? which is not to say that child care is not a profession or an honorable thing to do but it isn't really treated as such and thus yeah I would say it lacks dignity.

I think that part of the problem is that there aren't really professional requirements or standards in place for a job in child care, many places accept people straight out of highschool and alot of men do feel a pressure to have what is considered "A career" also there is the whole stereotype that if you are a guy and into kids you are either: homosexual, closet homosexual, child molestor, or using the job to look sensitive and sweet and have a better chance with the lonely single moms.

Join the frikin' military.

Try the ball pit there are plenty in there >.>


Not quite that desperate, thankyouverymuch. ,)

(I loved ball pits as a child, hell I would even enjoy them now as an adult.)
(Pushes LG out of the way and jumps in *weee* ;))

let's see (having worked in childcare with infants and two's for 9 years) being elbow deep in diaper poo 8 hours a day and not paid a living wage? Finding yourself actually crying for joy over a poo that made it TO the toilet? Knowing all the lyrics to every Barney song known to man? which is not to say that child care is not a profession or an honorable thing to do but it isn't really treated as such and thus yeah I would say it lacks dignity.

dignity-the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

I'm still not clear on why people who care for children have no dignity.

I'd be excellent. Irwin more than Hector, definitely, but excellent in a proper public school.

But it's not "challenging" enough for you, hmm?

Too hard more like.

dignity-the quality of being worthy of esteem or respect

I'm still not clear on why people who care for children have no dignity.

Ditto.

I think that part of the problem is that there aren't really professional requirements or standards in place for a job in child care, many places accept people straight out of highschool and alot of men do feel a pressure to have what is considered "A career" also there is the whole stereotype that if you are a guy and into kids you are either: homosexual, closet homosexual, child molestor, or using the job to look sensitive and sweet and have a better chance with the lonely single moms.

Or maybe all of the above and just a tad "confused" about their sexuality? I suggest a career as a shepherd.:D

Or maybe all of the above and just a tad "confused" about their sexuality? I suggest a career as a shepherd.:D
you sir are a BAAAAd man

But it's not "challenging" enough for you, hmm?

Too hard more like.

Without being unduly rude, beyond blundering into thread and being unpleasant, do you have anything of note to add? Actually, do you know to what I was referring with teachers?

Without being unduly rude, beyond blundering into thread and being unpleasant, do you have anything of note to add? Actually, do you know to what I was referring with teachers?

You get responses like that because you seem very uptight - the points that have been made about societal perceptions of male teachers are very valid though; the job in itself doesn't seem to be difficult or dignified in the eyes of many people... so people are put off entering that profession.

Your condescending attitude towards others will not win you any arguments though... and they're rude and very vewwy idiotic.
(:

You get responses like that because you seem very uptight - the points that have been made about societal perceptions of male teachers are very valid though; the job in itself doesn't seem to be difficult or dignified in the eyes of many people... so people are put off entering that profession.

Your condescending attitude towards others will not win you any arguments though... and they're rude and very vewwy idiotic.
(:

I've got great respect for secondary school teachers; well, those who teach in private or selective schools.

Primary education just holds no great appeal for me; I've never found young children particularly entertaining, cute or worthwhile. Just irritations.

I've got great respect for secondary school teachers; well, those who teach in private or selective schools.

Primary education just holds no great appeal for me; I've never found young children particularly entertaining, cute or worthwhile. Just irritations.

Fair enough, your opinion is your own and you're entitled to it - was just commenting on the condescending attitude towards others you seem to have quite often. Why do you not respect public school teachers?

In my experience, people are people and you will always have 'bad' teachers regardless of which sector they decide to work in.

Precisely what is "undignified" about caring for children?

It's a woman's job, according to our socialisation.

So it would be undignified for a man to do it.

Why the hell aren't the FATHERS of these children being the role models? Does anyone stay married these days or even raise their own children, or does everyone expect the daycare and public school system to do it for them?

It's a woman's job, according to our socialisation.

So it would be undignified for a man to do it.

It's hardly informed, intelligent and demanding work.

You've never done it, so I think it would be impossible for you to know.

Fair enough, your opinion is your own and you're entitled to it - was just commenting on the condescending attitude towards others you seem to have quite often. Why do you not respect public school teachers?

In my experience, people are people and you will always have 'bad' teachers regardless of which sector they decide to work in.

Inherent fear of comprehensive education?

I wouldn't care about being a male nurse, but the position to get there is so much work.

be a carer and get training whilst doing that

Join the frikin' military.

pfft I have never seen such a bunch of bloody women :wink:

also bin there still doing that and I find it odd how the two jobs are so similar

also bin there still doing that and I find it odd how the two jobs are so similar

:) Oddly enough it's only since I started teaching kids that I really developed a "command presence".

Not a hope. I don't fancy either the pay, or utter lack of self-dignity, such a job would provide.

Now the pay yeah I can agree on that point, but why do you suppose there is no dignity in working with children?