What is your opinion of male teaching assistants

[BobbyJones28]

I am a male teaching assistant in a primary school and I have signed up here to see opinions of this..

I have a friend (close-ish) that make jokes about it being an odd job for a guy so AIBU to keep getting fed up of it now!!!

What is other peoples opinions Male Teaching Assistants ??

For me being a male TA i think it's a great job!!
I once had a boy tell me when he's older he wants to do the job i do and be like me. Things like that i love and the presents are so rewarding

I'd love to see more men in primary schools, be that teaching or a TA - good luck with your chosen career op.

I do question people who want to get jobs near young children, especially if they don't have children and they are male.As I said, I am aware my view won't be popular, but that's what I think. Laugh all you want Bobby, I really do not care.

I aint laughing at you usualnamechanger i just think its sad you think that

Well you're entitled to your opinion - it's a talk forum after all.

I think very positively about male TAs (also male nannies etc)

"Our" school has many male TAs/teachers.

I can't quite put my finger on why it is a good thing. It just feels like it is.

"Esp when you talk about male nursery nurse/teacher. Very few parents actually do trust a man in charge of babies and toddlers."

I know MN doesn't equal the world, but whenever a thread about that point has been started, a good 90% of respondents have been fine with nursery workers of either sex.

star in my 'ideal world' there would be no men in any position until they are 10 to 12 years old like I said.

To be frank, I'd imagine if there was a risk of abuse (and there isn't), there'd be a far greater risk to teenagers than small children.

If I hadn't a glass of wine or four, I don't even know why I'd be saying that. It's a ridiculous topic and a silly point.

Thing is, I bet if most if us look back to our school days there were more male teachers then. Sorry Bobby , I'm old enough to not have had any TA's in my school
In fact the teachers who made the best impression on me were male in both primary and secondary school. I'm friends with 2 of them now and one actually taught my son a few years ago!
Maybe the reason many of us get a bit over excited about male TA's/teachers or NN's is because if the attitude displayed down the thread where a man wanting to work with children is immediately suspect.. I certainly get sick of the assumptions, possibly because my DH coaches children and has to be unbelievably careful about his conduct because of the assumption that Man Equals Bad when it comes to children.
Bobby, good luck and I hope you do well .

Apocalypse There is always a risk and not 'stranger danger bs' but from the people who are closer to the child/children.

Lets hope usuals son (should she have one) doesnt have a passion for teaching youngster, paediatrics, clown for hire, scout leader, etc. She clearly will think she has bred a pervert.

Think I hope if you have any children they never suffer sexual abuse because you trusted the wrong people.

Same as regards woman TA,i expect you to be competent,adequate,safe
Nonplussed youre male.

All Men dont equal The Wrong People.

Removing All Men from young children in a professional setting will not eliminate sexual abuse.

How utterly awful for the majority of men that they are tarnished with the actions of a very small number.

How naive of you to assume that only men (All Men) are predatory or a risk to children.

How very black and white.

As the wife of a male TA I am disgusted by your blanket policy and clear opinion that All Men who want to work with young children are sexual predators and do the job to get close to children. I hope my children never have the misfortune to encounter someone as narrow minded and, frankly, dangerous, as you.

I'm intrigued by what you said Usual, are all the wrong people Men then?
Do you have Sons just out of interest?

Think You are entitled to your opinion as I am to mine.

How utterly awful men are tarnished, blah blah.

I think more of the victims to be honest.

giants Not all men are abusers, but most abusers are men. And the abusers tend to look for positions near children.

So you do assume that any man who works with young children is a child abuser?
Do you have Sons?

A man working with a child who is not a sexual predator but is being thought of as one purely on his profession is a victim. A victim of your narrow minded prejudice.

giants This is the OP thread not about me. But if you really want to know, I do not automatically assume, but I have encountered many of 'those' teachers and whilst I am aware some women are abusers too I know there aren't as many as men.

Think To you it's prejudice, to me is my opinion.

I understand that many abusers are men (and maybe your pov will help the OP understand any prejudice he might face) but to assume as you are that a man without children working as a TA is suspect seems quite dangerous don't you think? What difference does having children actually make? A criminal is a criminal no matter how many times they breed.
Your position seems a bit simplistic and as Think says, very black and white to me. Your own experiences (not personally I hope? ) may have coloured your view somewhat.

giants You are right, some abusers do have children too. And yes, as unpopular as my view is, it might help the OP understand any contrary opinions he might face in his job and not just dismiss it as 'ridiculous', old fashioned, etc.

I would never talk about this in RL, but I would always think why do they want to be close to children, so in any encounter I have in real life there would be no 'victims' as Think says of my 'prejudice' (I call it opinion based on real life).

But its like saying "statistically a black male is more likely to carry a weapon in the street" therefore every black male in the street is a danger and we should stay away from them.

Statistically, a child is more likely to be abused by a family member or close family friend. So therefore do not ever allow your child to be alone with any family member or family friend.