Teaching: A Women-Only Profession?

Abstract

The latest statistics on teacher gender show a continuing downward trend in the participation of male teachers across secondary, primary and early childhood education. The trend is more pronounced in the primary than in the secondary sector, while early childhood education, which has never had a significant proportion of men, seems over the past five years to be losing more than it is attracting. This paper identifies key reasons for the feminisation of teaching, focusing on the early years of education (0-8 years). The main advantages of having male teachers on the staff are presented. Teacher gender seems to matter most for children’s learning during the early years of education. It is argued that the growing gender gap here should be regarded as a problem of serious professional and political concern.

Differences? Similarities? Male teacher, female teacher: An instrumental case study of teaching in a Head Start classroom

“…Apparently echoing the societal fear of men as abusers of children noted by Farquhar (1998), having a man change a diaper or helping a child undress and dress is avoided at HS for the safety of the male teacher as well as the child.…”

“…Children also sat close to Alphonso, leaning on him, but he was cautious when allowing them to sit on his lap and then he did not pull the children into his body. An issue raised by Farquhar (1998) lingered in the background for Alphonso: He was acutely aware of others' concerns about child abuse, including supposed dangers involved when men work closely with children. In an interview, he described the dilemma:…”

“…More specifically, low wages and social status and few opportunities for career advancement are believed to discourage male participation in teaching (Farquhar, 1998).…”

From Industry Professionals to Secondary School Teachers: The Relationship between Second Career-Changing Teachers and Social Cognitive Career Theory

“…Unlike the science industry and profession, where male professionals are the dominant staff and people, it is hard for male professionals to enter the teaching professions due to the social bias (i.e. toward the teaching profession) (Cooper & Mackenzie Davey, 2011;Farquhar, 1998). More importantly, some studies (Booy et al, 2012;Farquhar, 1998;Griffith, 2010) indicated that the enrollment of education faculties usually has higher-level female students' enrollment.…”

“…toward the teaching profession) (Cooper & Mackenzie Davey, 2011;Farquhar, 1998). More importantly, some studies (Booy et al, 2012;Farquhar, 1998;Griffith, 2010) indicated that the enrollment of education faculties usually has higher-level female students' enrollment. The statistics indicated that it is more likely that female individuals would like to join the education and teaching profession as their life-long development.…”