Dare To Ask Talk And News About Our Differences 
I’m a female kindergarten teacher and am always very curious when meeting a male kindergarten teacher. I cannot understand why they have chosen a career path that has so much unspoken prejudice. Wouldn’t the constant pressure and fear of being accused of sexual abuse be enough to choose a different career? Even as a female I am acutely aware of these issues.
K26959, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation: Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 22, City : Sydney, State : NA, Country : Australia, Occupation : Educator, Education level : 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class, 10040
Replies
Some people just won’t give in. For me, if I worked at a daycare center, I would be haunted by nightmare images of an expensive attorney questioning me in a court of law. We live in a society where men are no longer supposed to be around children if they aren’t their own. And that’s a real shame.
Christopher D., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation: Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Atheist, Age : 24, City : Dallas, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : Customer Service, Education level : High School Diploma, Social class : Lower middle class
Why not? Male kindergarten teachers are as good as female teachers. Do you really think women are better than men? Seems like you are a gender racist.
Fi21796, City : Vihti, State : NA, Country : Finland
I’m a teacher and get so frustrated by all the cynicism from older colleagues. If it were up to them, I would teach behind steel bars. My kids would be at arm’s length, and I would not ever touch them. My kids are always hugging on me and wanting to be around me. I know the risk, but don’t mind because some of these kids never have anyone show them affection. However, I’m not stupid. I’m never alone in the room with a child, and I always make sure that the contact is student-initiated. I think there is nothing wrong with male teachers in the lower grades. We should encourage more males in this profession. It is a shame that so many good candidates are being lost because of fear. The solution – supervision. If teachers were constantly being supervised, there would be no fear of inappropriate behavior.
Ane, Gender : F, Sexual Orientation: Straight, Race : Black/African American, Religion : Pentecostal, Age : 23, City : Houston, State : TX, Country : United States, Occupation : teacher, Education level : Over 4 Years of College, Social class : Middle class
My father is a kindergarten teacher. He originally intended to become a high school teacher, but ultimately found it more rewarding to work with young children. What on earth is wrong with that? Many parents have told him that they appreciate having a male role model in their children’s lives, especially nowadays with all the broken homes.
Candace, Gender : F, Age : 26, City : Vancouver, State : NA, Country : Canada, Education level : Over 4 Years of College
My late father spent about 30 years in the teaching profession, with about 25 years in a kindergarten, the last 20 or so in his own private kindergarten and 1st grade. He felt that it was important to teach a child how to learn as early in life as possible, and had plans to change the educational system. Initially, he was going to develop his particular theory, (a mish mash of Piaget and Montessori), and either get his administration certificate, and set the guidelines for other teachers or teach at a college level and teach the other teachers. He settled into a classroom, and never left again. I think he was enamored of the adulation that the parents heaped on him and more than a little heady with being the King of Lilliputt. I think the parents raved about him so much because it was unusual to see a man teaching kindergarten, and he had a master’s degree in early childhood development combined with a lengthy history of selling cars. He was smart, and knew how to sell himself. At the end of his career, he admitted that he had stayed in the classroom because it was easy, compared to the other original goals.
Chris32156, City : Kemah, State : TX, Country : United States
It is always those who willingly put the reputation on the line and are patient with the social perspectives slow to change attitude that make the changes. Those who take the easy road won’t target the misconceptions about male kindergarten teachers. We must start to see that some folks out here have honorable motives. I love to play with kids and find it funny and fun when they wrestle with me. The kids enjoy it trying to stop the giant, or whatever. Does this make me a pedophile? No. Lets look at the motives and stop being superficial in our logic unto the harm of others.
Ted S., Gender : M, Sexual Orientation: Straight, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Christian, Age : 41, City : Wales, State : MA, Country : United States, Occupation : Broadband Technician, Education level : Technical School, Social class : Middle class
Let me submit to you that you do indeed make a reasonable argument. However, plenty of men teach little league or other sports with children and they do not have this issue brought up. So why is it when we have a male elementary or kindergarten teacher that everyone is afraid? What about the little league coach, peewee football or basketball coach, or wrestling coach? What about someone who volunteers with children? What about surrogate grandparents? There are plenty of other situations where males come into contact with children and no one is afraid.
Vaden, Gender : M, Age : 25, City : Springfield, State : CO, Country : United States, Occupation : Student, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class
I work at an all-girl camp with girls from 5-17 years old. In this environment the prejudice isn’t really ‘unspoken,’ parents bring it up all the time if they see any man or a woman they think is a lesbian (sometimes in very rude terms). We have to take hours of training to learn ways not to touch a child and risk being accused of sexual harassment. I plan on working with kids even after I’m through working at a camp. Why do I take that risk? Because it’s something I love to do! It is something I am aware of, of course, but I know I am no child molester, so instead of running away scared I simply choose to do my best not to come off that way.
Jack19641, Gender : M, Sexual Orientation: Gay, Race : White/Caucasian, Age : 21, City : Oshkosh, State : WI, Country : United States, Occupation : Camp Counselor, Education level : 2 Years of College, Social class : Lower middle class
As I read the responses, I thought of the rise in female teachers raping/seducing their male teen-age students. So, sadly it’s just not male teachers kids have to watch out for and it’s all kids that are potential victims.
Dwanny, Gender : F, Race : White/Caucasian, Religion : Pagan, Age : 53, City : Springtown, State : TX, Country : United States
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