Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
Here's something I've always been curious about, and as I'm attempting to avoid getting started on my workday, I thought I'd ask here. (It's a question that came up for me again when I saw the male:female HS teacher ratio thread.)
In my experience, there are so many female teachers at the elementary level, practically no male teachers in pre-K, a smattering in middle school and then quite a few in high school. It seems like the higher one goes in grade level, the more male teachers they are, with the inverse obviously being true (again, just in my experience): fewer and fewer male teachers the "younger" one goes.
As a male HS math teacher, I think it's probably just the perception that men are not as naturally "nurturing" as women are, which is especially important for younger children. You're more directly acting as their parent for the school day. But, that being said, a man with the right qualities can be just as nuturing as a female, especially to boys who don't have very strong father figures.
Men who want to work with young children are all too often held to a higher level of scrutiny than women who wish to do the same thing. This holds true with preschool, early elementary, special ed of any age. Male teachers are at higher risk of being treated with suspicion of being inappropriate or predatory if they have a calling to work with vulnerable populations. I wouldn't want to work in a field where my motives were at risk of being labeled as unsavory and risk having my career torched over such perceptions.
I've worked with many male teachers, and they've all had it drilled into them to be ultra conscious/vigilant about things I wouldn't think twice about.
As a male HS math teacher, I think it's probably just the perception that men are not as naturally "nurturing" as women are, which is especially important for younger children. You're more directly acting as their parent for the school day. But, that being said, a man with the right qualities can be just as nuturing as a female, especially to boys who don't have very strong father figures.
You just described by son. He likes little kids, but quite frankly teaching them and acting correctly around them would be too nerve wracking.
Men who want to work with young children are all too often held to a higher level of scrutiny than women who wish to do the same thing. This holds true with preschool, early elementary, special ed of any age. Male teachers are at higher risk of being treated with suspicion of being inappropriate or predatory if they have a calling to work with vulnerable populations. I wouldn't want to work in a field where my motives were at risk of being labeled as unsavory and risk having my career torched over such perceptions.
I've worked with many male teachers, and they've all had it drilled into them to be ultra conscious/vigilant about things I wouldn't think twice about.
My son's teacher (special ed - grades 4 and 5) is ULTRA professional (professional is fine, but I mean...every i dotted and every t crossed pretty much to a fault; it's not very comfortable to be around him...he's very, well, "tight," for lack of a better word) and seems almost standoffish; maybe this is why.
The other teachers my sons have had - all female - have been quite friendly by comparison. I've been told more than once by a (female) teacher to call her by her first name at some point during the year, for example, and they joke around more and are more lighthearted during times that warrant that, such as waiting for other individuals to show up for a meeting.
I'm a little sad to hear this, to be honest. What a strain to be under; I couldn't do it.
I know a couple of parents that have changed their elementary-aged kids from a classroom with a male teacher to a class with a female teacher. Because, you know, any man who chooses to be around little kids MUST be pervy. Der.
My kids have both had male teachers, and they've been every bit as professional and nurturing (how's that for a hard combo!) as the females. It's a cultural bias, more than anything, and one that I think is starting to die off a bit. I hope, anyway!
I know a couple of parents that have changed their elementary-aged kids from a classroom with a male teacher to a class with a female teacher. Because, you know, any man who chooses to be around little kids MUST be pervy. Der.
My kids have both had male teachers, and they've been every bit as professional and nurturing (how's that for a hard combo!) as the females. It's a cultural bias, more than anything, and one that I think is starting to die off a bit. I hope, anyway!
I had so many male teachers as a child (but like my sons, not until middle school, really...maybe one or two in the whole school?) and so did my eldest son (now age 30), and so many of them made a positive impact; I remember them to this day.
This is really too bad. Such a narrow view, but I can understand the fear, now that it's been explained to me.
Well, anyway, thanks for the explanation, everyone.
Men who want to work with young children are all too often held to a higher level of scrutiny than women who wish to do the same thing. This holds true with preschool, early elementary, special ed of any age. Male teachers are at higher risk of being treated with suspicion of being inappropriate or predatory if they have a calling to work with vulnerable populations. I wouldn't want to work in a field where my motives were at risk of being labeled as unsavory and risk having my career torched over such perceptions.
I've worked with many male teachers, and they've all had it drilled into them to be ultra conscious/vigilant about things I wouldn't think twice about.
One of my male friends would very much agree with this....he's long had an interest in becoming either a pre-school or kindergarten teacher, and apparently has dealt with a LOT of discrimination trying to get a job in that field.
Probably all these witch hunts by liberal society against the perverts so it is best to teach people who are of age of accountabilities
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
