Would you hire a male babysitter?

[georgarina]

Why/why not?

Ok il bite, no I wouldn’t for young children that couldn’t talk and tell me what’s happening , wouldn’t feel comfortable and that’s as a safeguarding professional with 20 years experience. However important to note I would be VERY cautious of who I would mind any young children, I’m an absolute no for a single child minder personally too male or female ( yes I know most are great etc etc ) but personally I prefer the accountability of several carers together in a crèche or daycare . I have been involved in child safeguarding my full career so definitely appreciated that my views are impacted ( rightly or wrongly ) by this.

Had the lad next door look after my kids from the age of 5 and 7. Absolutely no problems. he rad them a story, very happy to play games and he is a sensible lad so we were able to go out feeling happy.

Absolutely not.
Not worth the risk.
And the risk is huge.

I have only ever had babysitters who are known to me and have zero preference male/female. If I was asking for someone from the crèche male/female wouldn't be a deciding factor. I've never used an agency, I've had the luxury of a wide support group, but the stranger bit is the biggest thing I'd have.

Nope, not worth the risk imo but then I wouldn’t hire any baby sitter I didn’t know personally that wasn’t a family member or close friend (male or female) so 🤷‍♀️

For Children over say 4/5yrs and able to articulate what was happening then I would consider for occasional babysitting. I never left my young children with anyone other than a few family members and 2 close friends for sleepovers as they grew up. Had a blanket rule for no sleepovers other than family and these two friends and they accepted it. I hosted sleepovers only for those children also .

No, I wouldn't. And as much as I wouldn't, my husband would be even more adamant on that point that I would be (due to experiences he had in his childhood).

Not one I didn’t know, but I also wouldn’t hire a female babysitter I didn’t know.

I always used babysitters known to me, and for the majority of the time I needed a babysitter, it was my friend's son.

No, I would not.

My child, my choice. Too many predatory men try any means to gain access to children. Parents must be vigilant, and they mustn’t take any unnecessary risks.

A man who’s a nanny? A manny?

No, I wouldn´t. Males are significantly higher risk of sexual abuse. Then you could argue that women abuse in other ways, yes, fair enough. But until I can hire aliens from Mars I will have to make do with the women.

No, the risk, there is always a risk. It is completely different if its a male I know well. I trust my brother and brother in-laws with DD. Thats it really.

This is so depressing, if it's someone you know and you trust what difference does it make if they are male or female? My eldest son who's now 19 did some babysitting for friends of mine a few times, he's very sensible and their son loved having him over to keep an eye on them.

I never, ever used a babysitter I didn't personally know.

Yes.
We have used male babysitters. They've always been people we know which is our criteria.
One was a teenage family member and the other a male nursery nurse from DSs nursery.

I would and did for my DC. But he was the son of a close friend that I’d known since he was born!

Absolutely never - surely basic safeguarding?

If I knew and trusted them yes, if not, no.

I'm the same with female babysitters. Though there is of course a different layer of risk with having a man babysit your child.

I would have when I was young and naive. 45 years on I wouldn’t due to what has happened since, experience in work and life. I would now prefer a nursery/ crèche situation where there was more than one carer to supervise.

Sex is irrelevant. Anyone can sexually assault a child male or female. I would only use someone I knew and trusted.. male or female.

I wouldn't hire a babysitter I didn't know.
One of the staff at our nursery is male and I was wary but he's lovely, as are all the women there.

From an agency no, a friend or friends son that I personally knew well then yes.

@BanjoKnickers Absolutely never - surely basic safeguarding? no don’t be ridiculous, having a close male friend babysit your child is not a safeguarding risk.

You're obviously being deliberately goady OP.

No-one can answer that question yes/no without further context about who this hypothetical male babysitter is and I'm quite surprised that so many people are unwilling to allow any man to babysit their children, based solely on their sex. Not even friends/family members or nursery workers that you know well or can provide references/DBS checks?