Facts In Action. Associated Early Care & Education.In Brief. Encouraging Men to Enter the Field

Men who work in early childhood education help challenge stereotypes that caring for children is "women's work" and allow children to view men from a different perspective. However, very few men are employed as child care practitioners. It is estimated that men represent only two to five percent of the child care workforce. In a recent study conducted by Ball State University and Mt. San Antonio College, researchers examined the barriers men face in entering early childhood education (ECE) and some ways to overcome the obstacles that keep more men from choosing the field.

The researchers found that some men encounter difficulties as soon as they begin training in ECE, including isolation and lack of support. To help encourage men to enter the early childhood field, the authors suggest several strategies to promote and support male participation, such as:

creating "support" groups for men who are studying early childhood education at colleges or universities;

inviting male child care professionals to present at meetings of professional ECE associations;

developing mentoring programs for potential early childhood educators, with male teachers serving as role models; and

encouraging men who are studying for degrees in elementary education to explore early childhood education instead.

Previous research on the consequences the lack of men has on the early childhood field suggests that it impacts the status of the field, educational outcomes for boys, the social development of boys and girls, and fathers' participation in their children's care and learning. Above all, the authors state that convincing people that child care isn't women's work, but human work, is the key to increasing the number of men in the field.

Source:
"Encouraging Men to Enter the Field of Child Care: What Can Be Done?" L. Huber, I. Vollum, and J. Stroud, Early Child Development and Care, Volume 165, 2000.

For more information:
contact Linda Huber or James Stroud, Ball State University, Teachers College 216, Muncie, IN 47306.