I've been watching this thread for a little while, wondering when the best time to comment was. Perhaps now is a good time.
As always on Mumsnet, it is interesting to see the variety of comments, from parents, carers and anyone else browsing the boards.
The Equal Opportunities Commission published a research paper in Spring 2005, looking at men working in the childcare sector. Men In Childcare - report by Heather Rolfe, National Institute of Economic and Social Research
The report highlighted the lack of men working in childcare, that our Government failed to reach it's own 6% target for men in childcare settings, discussed how men could be encouraged into childcare work, and looked at the barriers that prevented men joining the profession - low pay and suspected of having preverse sexual intentions were the main reasons.
The most interesting thing in the report I felt was how the Media was to blame for portraying men as child abusers. While general studies into child abuse do show that men are more likely to be the abuser, research into abuse in childcare settings shows that sexual abuse in childcare settings is rare (Cameron, 2001 / Owen 2003).
The scarcity of men in childcare makes them appear more unusual and thus likely to be the target of interest and suspicion. In Denmark, where there is a higher proportion of male childcare workers, the issue of abuse does not arise in debates about the childcare workforce. (Jensen, 1996)
We probably all remember the tv programes about bad nurseries - the carers shown in those programes were mostly female, and while they were not sexually abusing children they were emotionally abusing them and neglecting them. Neglect is now the largest category for children in England who are put on the at risk register - NSPCC Inform - 12,600 children were added in 2004.
Prior to employing any Nanny, Babysitter or Au-Pair, be they male or female, parents need to do as much background checks as possible. These days, this means having an Enhanced CRB check, great written references, great verbal references, and if you want someone qualified then as many certificates for courses as possible, including Early Years First Aid. If you want to be even more sure, you may want someone who has been cleared by Ofsted - as their checks on nursery staff and childminders, goes a bit deeper than just having a CRB check.
It is nice to see that some of you will consider a male nanny, but also sad to see that some of you will dismiss the idea without a second thought - perhaps you are the same people who feel that women should stay at home and look after the children, while the men work. Somehow I doubt you would want to return to the ways things were pre-war... would you?
Colditz wrote:
At the end of the day, most of the people who sexually abuse children are men. Most of them are known to the children.
Fully agree... current statistics for sexual abuse against minors does show this. There are no statistics to my knowledge (please do provide a link if you feel I'm wrong) that show that a male nanny is more likely to abuse a child than a female nanny is... the research has simply not been done.
I did find an article about Female Sexual Abusers which states that 14% of perpetrators against boys and 6% of perpetrators against girls were females acting alone. Again it isn't research into home based childcarers, but it does show that women do sexualy abuse children, more boys than girls. Thus why when anyone (male or female) are employed within a registered childcare setting in the UK, background checks are carried out.
given the statistics on male and female child sexual abusers, a male nanny would not get a look in.
What statistics are you looking at precisely? A lot of sexual abuse happens within the family, parents, uncles, aunts, etc. Please do point me in the direction of the research and stats.
It is a tiny risk, but still a risk that doesn't have to be taken.
As a parent you are entitled to your view. Current law permiits you to discriminate on grounds of gender when employing someone in your own home (personally I feel this loophole should be closed). There is always risk in anything we do... everyone decides what level of risk they are happy with. Some people never leave their homes, far too risky with those cars out there!
Angeliz wrote:
Not pc or neccessarily fair but it wouldn't honestly enter my head to employ a male carer for my girls.
Having worked with children for over 15 years, I have to say that the number of families I've worked with who only had girls, is very low - but it has happened, I recall caring for twin girls back in the mid 90's. If I was a parent with only girls, I too would prefer a female carer... men are just not very good at doing girls hair!
Starshaker wrote:
if he had good referances and everything else was ok then i would take him on the same as with a woman. not only men can abuse children women are just as capable. as you say ur dd needs a male role model. i really dont see what the differance is.
Glad to see that some of you are in favour.
Starshaker raises a good point... women do abuse children... neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexually. Checking references and background is essential before employing anyone to care for your children.
leesax wrote:
I know a few male childcarers and they are great, i think you should employ someone on their suitability for you family and nothing more.
Totally agree... when employing someone to work in your home, you need them to fit in with your family. You want someone the children like, someone you like, someone you feel you can talk to about things that might be troubling you concerning your children's development. Gender should not really be an issue, alas it still is. A MORI survery (Daycare Trust 2002) indicated that 56% of parents felt that 'people could be suspicious of a man working in childcare'. At least that means that 44% didn't see that being an issue, with more positive media attention perhaps the scales can be tipped the other way, in favour of men working with children.
Blu wrote:
Would never leave DS with a female nanny if she was going to take him in the car - women are such crap drivers.
- are you really saying women are bad drivers? Best to ask any childcarer for their accident history!
I think this is getting very long now, so will leave the last word with paolosgirl...
You can't tar every man with the same paedophile brush, just as you can't assume that every female childcarer is 100% safe.
There is never a 100% safe option... male or female. So check, check, and check again before employing someone to care for your children - and that includes nurseries... how much do you actually know about the staff?