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No Man’s Land: Where Are the Male Daycare Caregivers?
A gender-segregated caregiving profession is not optimal for children.
Most U.S. children today grow up in a dual ecology, spending significant time in both home and daycare. Child daycare in the U.S. is a messy hodgepodge of arrangements varying in quality, size, and scope as well as in their philosophies, goals, affiliations, and regulatory status. Yet one central unifying characteristic remains: Male caregivers are virtually nonexistent. This is a problem for several reasons.
Most U.S. children today grow up in a dual ecology, spending significant time in both home and daycare. Child daycare in the U.S. is a messy hodgepodge of arrangements varying in quality, size, and scope as well as in their philosophies, goals, affiliations, and regulatory status. Yet one central unifying characteristic remains: Male caregivers are virtually nonexistent. This is a problem for several reasons.
Whether Charter or Public, Schools Need More Black Male Teachers
Throughout my career as a Black male teacher, I’ve taught in district and charter schools. While many remain determined to highlight their differences, they’re one and the same when it comes to their failure to serve Black children and their inability to attract and retain quality teachers who look like them.Do boys need more male teachers?
Children may have a hard time finding a male role model to look up to in the classroom.
Statistics show women greatly outnumber men as educators, a trend that is seen in classrooms across Greater Victoria.
Dave Eberwein, superintendent of the Saanich School District, recognises that students need to be able to relate to their teachers but does not think biological sex is much of a factor. “The most important thing is having at least one adult a child can relate to, that they trust and that believes in them.”
Statistics show women greatly outnumber men as educators, a trend that is seen in classrooms across Greater Victoria.
Dave Eberwein, superintendent of the Saanich School District, recognises that students need to be able to relate to their teachers but does not think biological sex is much of a factor. “The most important thing is having at least one adult a child can relate to, that they trust and that believes in them.”
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Stories
From art student to teacher
John M. Holland, 38
Child Development Specialist, Richmond Public Schools
As an art student at Virginia Commonwealth University, John Holland didn't see it coming. Shortly after meeting his wife, Jonah, he took a job as a substitute teacher in Richmond to pay the bills. He's been in the classroom ever since.
"It basically came down to start my own house-painting company or teaching," he says, which was an easy choice: "Every interaction with a kid I felt like I was doing something."
Child Development Specialist, Richmond Public Schools
As an art student at Virginia Commonwealth University, John Holland didn't see it coming. Shortly after meeting his wife, Jonah, he took a job as a substitute teacher in Richmond to pay the bills. He's been in the classroom ever since.
"It basically came down to start my own house-painting company or teaching," he says, which was an easy choice: "Every interaction with a kid I felt like I was doing something."
