Your Opinion

[JustForMe]

What is your opinion on male workers in childcare?

I dont think theres a problem with them I know many people can be quite wary of men in childcare but I think people over react.

They're all paeodophiles?

Seriously, what do you expect people to say and why are you asking? Do you just mean nursery workers? Or primary school teachers?

I mean everywhere all over the board.
I have a male friend who is finding it difficult to get a job and was js wandering

When we first looked round DS' nursery there was a male working there aged around 20. I'm ashamed to admit that DH and I did have the discussion about why he worked there/what would attract him to that kind of job etc. It's very un-PC I know but my backwards little mind just wasn't expecting him to be there.

Shutting off the un-PC thoughts I don't think there's anything wrong with having a male nursery worker. I want my DS to be surrounded by positive male role models and what better than a caring, patient and most likely sensitive male nursery worker?

If we're talking about more sinister stuff, he will have been through the same checks as the female workers and it's no different to having a male teacher when he goes to school.

He had since left the nursery though! Not sure why.

Why would they want to work there? Are men not allowed to like children?

Oh yes I forgot childcare is women's work innit?

Ah ok. Well when my DS was a baby, there was a chap working there and I can honestly say it didn't cross my mind for one second that there was anything sinister about it. Me and my DH had a conversation about how unusual it was, but unusual in a very positive way. My little boy adored him and we were all very sorry to see him leave.

DS1 is now at primary school and has a female teacher who he also loves. But the other day they had an activity day which meant things got juggled up and he was with one of the male teachers - he had a fab time and keeps saying how he can't wait to be in Mr C's class.

For boys in particular I think it's great to have some male carers, but I also have a daughter who I would have no qualms about being cared for by a man.

It's a real shame your friend is having problems getting a job. It says far more about the employers than it does him.

The 2 blokes who were at DS1 nursery were fab.
I've always through those men who push and push to succeed in an area that is so female dominated must really be something special, and really want to work in that area, otherwise they would have been put off by "oh, you don't want to do that, its womans work" many many years ago.

Its nice to hear positive comments.
My dadas friend used to be a teacher but due to all the reatrictions then placed on the profession and the attitudes towards men he decided to leave.