Would you object to this advert?

[nannynick]

Just wanted to get some views with regard to what is considered acceptable advertising these days within the childcare sector.

Here is an example advert

I am the aunt of 2 boys of 10 and 11 helping my sister to find childcare as she is too busy at the moment.
Requirements: We are looking for a male

Would you object to that?

In my view, if they didn't state that they their requirement was for a male, then I feel it's fine. But because it does state that, then I feel it is likely to breach advertising standards regulations, Sex Discrimination and Equality legislation.

I agree it must break a few of the PC rules, personally I think there should be more Nannynicks in childcare, but the advert is a bit blatant, maybe mum / aunt has an ulterior motive

sounds like it will be hard work if the mother does not have time to advertise herself

I think they are probably looking for amale to be a male role model. With all the sporty will in the world, a woman cannot be a man, and it seems like they specifically want the boys to see a man in action.

As a single parent of two boys, I can totally see their point. Children need men in their lives, and boys especially can feel disenfranchised if they nnever see a man doing anything useful.

I think it does breach the equality rules somehow.

Aren't there rules about if you need certain types of personal care being allowed to specify a sex? Maybe one of the boys has an additional need?

For live-in jobs where the person is involved in family life, you are allowed to discriminate on both gender and religion. I am not sure if gender orientation has also been added to the list since it was incorporated into equality legislation, but I guess that is possible too.

But a daft advert from start to finish IMHO

To me it just sounds like one of them is after a boyfriend and has found a somewhat clever way of interviewing men without having to date them!

I thought you were allowed to select someone based on gender, as it is a domestic care job but that advertising specifically wasn't permitted unless it fitted the exemption rules and a statement was added to the advert stating the exemption.
Advertising codes of conduct for publishers I think are a bit different to gender equality legislation, thus why I think it may be legal to aim to recruit someone of a specific gender but not to advertise that being a specific gender is a requirement.

You might be right about them needing to put as comment at bottom that post falls within a qualifying exemption under the equality act, but have never seen anyone bother in childcare ads - you only really see them in public sector job ads. Am sure that you are allowed to advertise for one gender only, so long as it IS for a post that falls under the exemptions.

I would imagine a lot of people wouldn't realise that though nannynick.
When there is a legal expmtion you are supposed to put a little disclaimer stating the act that it is exempt under but would everyone really know that.
I agree with what colditz said though especially taking into acount the sges of the boys there is probably an entirely reasonable reason as to why they are asking for a man. If one of the boys has extra needs as well a man may be preferrable to them from a modesty point of view.

Personally, I think it sounds strange that the Aunt is advertising.
Surely the mum can pull her finger out and find someoneto care for her boys.
I hate it when children are an inconvenience, or appear to be.

Wouldn't it be usual to put something like 'Men encouraged to apply' rather than 'We are looking for a male'?

The publisher of the advert has removed the last line of the ad, thus removing the gender requirement.
So now the publisher won't get in trouble. If the advertiser objects I expect the publisher will let them rephrase the ad... though its fine with that last bit removed, as anyone can now apply and the advertiser can shortlist based on whatever criteria they like. I would doubt that applicants would ask why they didn't get an interview, even if they did a reason other than gender could be given.

bradfordmum who says the sister is the mum? They may BOTH be aunts to the boys dont forget

Seems a shame to judge people ...

bradford mum you have no idea why the sister is advertising instead of the mum. The mum may, for all you know, be terminally ill. Judgy, judgy, judgy.