Would you prefer your child's daycare facility to be comprised of mostly male or mostly female caretakers?

Question

Assuming that you would ever put your child in daycare, this is a follow up question to gender bias in hiring babysitters.

Many parents would much prefer to hire a female babysitter rather than a male babysitter (I can back this up if I must). Most who responded felt apprehension on two main levels: that men are just not as good nurturers as women, or that most child molesters are men.

I am curious to know whether these beliefs extend to professionally licensed childcare.

If it DOES, then it stands to reason that the first fear is actually true. That is, no matter how many workers are available for support or backup, men just cannot watch children as attentively or effectively as women, and additional help does NOT make a difference.

But if this bias does NOT extend to a daycare, then it stands to reason that leaving ANYBODY alone with your child is the key fear. That is, more caretakers reduces the chance that abuse will occur, regardless of gender.

So which is it? Or is it the "professionally licensed" part that makes the distinction?

Answer 1

I have 2 boys and one girl and my favorite babysitter is my 16-17 year old nephew.  I think men can be just as caring and loving and nurturing as any woman. If I had a choice I would pick as close to a 50/50 split as I could.  

Answer 2

I would be more comfortable with a female caretaker. I'm only fourteen, but if I did have kids I wouldnt trust the men. When I go places my mom says "If you get lost or anything find a nice lady to help you, preferably one with children". Women are just seen as more motherly and nurturing, and men who like little kids are kind of creepy sometimes.

Love Haleigh<3

Answer 3

Most child molesters are male. Though this does not mean there are no female abusers. I think a mixture of both would would be nice. Though jobs in childcare tend to be low paying and a lot of men won't go for that. Childcare is hard it takes time, effort, and energy not all men have a desire to nurture and care for children not their own. Maybe its biased, but between men and women I say women are more likely to have those attributes. I worked in a daycare center for 6 years and never  had a male coworker, non of my fellow employees had ever had a male coworker while working in child care. The many other day cares/pre schools in my area all had female employees. Recently I came across a man who worked for headstart as a preschool teacher. Needless to say I was surprised, I never thought i would meet a fellow childcare teacher that was male.

     Truthfully yes, them more workers the less chance of any kind of abuse. I know many people that have said they would never let a male babysit their child. And it was not just women saying this, but men as well. I have met few that said they would not mind.  I think there are men out there that would be excelent caregivers, but will not take the job because of the pay, and the stigma attached to male caregivers. Yes leaving your child with anyperson can be a risk, even if its a person you know. Remember most molesters are people the child knows, not some random stranger.

     Licensising is importent, but should not be the main factor in choosing a childcare center. Obtaining a license is not that difficult, they daycare could be horrible or it could be paradise. Anyone choosing a daycare needs to visit it, talk to the teachers and other parents, check for safety and child/staff ratios. The staff should have training in childcare this includes at least some college. Personally my #1 reason for choosing or not choosing a childcare center would not be because of a male staff member or lack there of

Answer 4

I am a teacher at a licensed day care and they are ALL women.  When I first applied there a year and a half ago I asked them if they hire men.  They said they let them fill out the application when they come in, which is rare, but never hire them and won't.  

I am somewhat biased, however, if you want to get technical - I have heard of more women killing their own children than I have heard of men.  When I hear of child abuse in the form of bizarre punishment, I usually hear of a woman doing such a thing.  Child molesters are mostly men, true, and the biggest concern I have is my daughter being molested by someone.  I am happy that all her teachers are female but I also feel bad for the men who really are not mental and sick enough to hurt a child but only want a job.  

So, even tho it is biased and sexist... safety of a child outweighs the morals of equal opportunity.  The risk of sexual abuse would be greater if day cares were run by men.  I know, females are abusers too but if you must take your child to day care like I do then the lesser evil is the way to go.  Sorry,  but it is the truth.