Which one of the following statements reflects the most desirable role for men in an early childhood setting?

Question

a. men are great administrators, and women are better direct caregivers, since they have yearsof experience in the field.

b. because of child abuse concerns, men shouldn't change diapers or provide other similar care for infants and toddlers in early childhood centers.

c. men feel uncomfartable in the mostly female world of child care providers, so it's natural for them not to get too involved.

d. men can and should participate in children's lives at all levels, since men form a natural part of every child's world.

Answer 1

d. men can and should participate in children's lives at all levels, since men form a natural part of every child's world.

Answer 2

d

Answer 3

that is a very broad statement.  it really depends on the individual in question.  coming from a background with abuse in it, i would be a little leery, but having seen first hand that men can be just as loving and nurturing as women, sometimes more so (and not in a creepy way), i would have to go with D.

Answer 4

I agree with everyone thus far: "Men can and should participate in children's lives at all levels, since men form a natural part of every child's world" and "You really need to start answering your own homework questions."

As a man and a longtime educator, I strongly believe men should be more active in the care and supervision of children. However, far too many men haven't been adequately trained to care for young children and they are not encouraged (sufficiently) to pursue a career in early childhood education. Besides, stereotypes and stigmas dissuade most men from entering programs that would better prepare them to be caregivers. I began my education career working with school-age children, but I have since worked significantly with preschoolers.

I must say, I also agree with the statement "because of child abuse concerns, men shouldn't change diapers or provide other similar care for infants and toddlers in early childhood centers." In my previous assignments working with preschool children who were not fully potty-trained, I happily did not have to change their diapers. Whew! Still, "d" is the best answer above.

Answer 5

I am a man in ece.  I think that c in your question is true. When I was seeking my permit I went into a 2 year program with 49 women.  I was the only male student and their was only one male teacher.  Every program I have worked at has hardly ever had men.  There are stigmas and prejudices that I have had to deal with big time.  I think this is simply a gender trend issue.  I do protect myself because one whisper of anything that even is construed as inappropriate could hurt the program and eventually the care of the children.  I hope that all of the people that I see posting here find some way to bring men into their program.  I doubt many will be coming in with a ece background (especially infant/toddlers)So you will have to bring them in somehow.?   I was actually mentored into the field by a friend....Anyway, I think your question is a good start for discussion but too broad.  I just read a article by my hero Dan Gartrell titled "BOYS AND MEN TEACHERS"  here is a small excerpt:

"Too few men teach in early childhood classrooms. In a 2002 study, Nelson states that only about 4 percent of NAEYC members are men working directly with children (98 percent of Nelson's sample of NAEYC members believed it is important for men to be early childhood teachers) (Nelson 2002). Beyond the chronic issue of low pay in the early childhood workforce, Nelson's study suggests that stereotypes about men teachers have kept male application, hiring, and retention rates all sadly low (Nelson 2002).

I wish you luck and encourage you to read the whole article for perhaps another discussion regarding men in ece.

Answer 6

im not exactly sure about the most desirable role.D would be the most desirable role.  i think C-- is the (truest) best answer- but it is also related to B--- because men know of the concern that society has on men surrounding this situation.

Answer 7

Absolutely 'D'. One of the reasons we chose my son's long day care centre was because it had young men, as well as women, working with the children.

Those men have exactly the same role as the women in the centre and I see no reason why they shouldn't. Yes, I know more men sexually abuse children than women - but it's also true that there are far more men who don't abuse than those who do.

Those young guys have been caring for my son for three years and we now regularly employ one of them to babysit our children in our home.

I only wish there were more male carers in the early childhood setting.