INTERNATIONAL CHILD AND YOUTH CARE NETWORK

8 June 2005

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MEN AS CARE WORKERS

'Sex stereotypes' deter fathers from childcare roles

Men are deterred from getting involved in childcare as fathers or workers because playgroups and nurseries are dominated by women, a report published today says. A study prepared for the government into the drastic shortage of male childcare workers suggests that fathers are caught in a vicious circle, and would be more inclined to play a bigger role with children if the workforce reflected a greater gender balance.
The mothers' dominant role as “gatekeepers” to children's care and upbringing can also deter some fathers from getting more involved in activities such as taking their children to playgroups, the research by the Pre-School Learning Alliance found.
The study calls for more playgroup activities specifically directed at fathers and children, including events outside typical working hours, so that more dads can attend.
The report comes as the government tries to encourage more men to take up careers in childcare as part of a drive to expand staffing numbers to meet the increasing demand.
With the number of male nursery nurses stuck at just 1% for the decade up to 2001, and the same proportion of male staff in playgroups and pre-schools, David Blunkett, the work and pensions secretary, said yesterday that boosting that number would benefit both children and men.

“It is important for men to play a real part in raising children for the benefit of children, fathers and society as a whole,” he said at the launch of National Childcare Week.
“Recruiting skilled people to work in childcare is a key priority, but it is also important to get a diverse workforce to enhance children's experiences and raise their awareness of others as role models from an early age.”
The Pre-School Learning Alliance research covered some 1,400 early-years playgroups and other settings, as well as focus groups of fathers of children attending the groups and of female staff.
It found that when the dads did set foot in playgroups their role was often restricted to “gender-appropriate” activities, such as “doing jobs” or being involved in outdoor games or construction play.
Where fathers came to a playgroup, almost half stayed for less than 10 minutes, and three-quarters for less than half an hour.

Fathers “tended to be content to see themselves as supportive to their partners, who are usually primary carers”.

The report proposes that playgroups take account of fathers' typical roles as the “main breadwinners in the family unit” and organise some activities outside of the working week, such as on Saturday mornings, even if it means expanding traditional operational hours.
They should also be aware that fathers want to take part in not only traditionally “male” activities such as sports days, but in a range of other non-gender-specific pursuits with their children as well.
The report strongly urges childcare providers to develop programmes and activities specifically targeted at fathers if they hope to secure their greater involvement. The latest research, like earlier studies, suggests that the term “parents” is often read by fathers and their partners as meaning mothers.
The study says mothers should encourage such activities, to challenge assumptions that men in early-years settings may pose a risk to children.
Staff and volunteers in playgroups should undergo gender awareness training to help them move beyond traditional ideas of male and female roles in parenting, the report says.

See also: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,1500534,00.html

Lucy Ward
7 June 2005

http://www.guardian.co.uk/child/story/0,7369,1500790,00.html?gusrc=rss