- Tuesday 30 August 2016
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As Father's Day is celebrated this week, it seems like an appropriate time to highlight the important role males play in education.
An article earlier this year by the ABC news discusses the idea of fewer male teachers in Australian schools. Only about 4% of students in Australia studying to work in early childhood settings are males. In some states, less than 10 graduate each year. However, more male teachers are found in middle and upper primary schools.
Why don’t more males enter the teaching profession?
Traditionally, teaching has been viewed as a female ‘nurturing’ role. Only one in five teachers in Australian primary schools is male.
One worrying reason why males may not take up teaching as a profession is the fear of being accused of child sexual abuse or some impropriety. This may be a valid concern. One South Australian teacher endured a stressful two-year investigation involving allegations of misconduct before being ordered back to teaching. Even though the allegations were not proven, the effect on the teacher was astronomical—sick leave, stress leave and the possibility of leaving a loved profession after 30 years. Needless to say, the teacher has cautioned young males about joining the profession.
While this reason is understandable, other more practical reasons limit the number of males in teaching roles. These include low wages as compared to contemporaries in other professions, low social status and limited career promotion paths.
What do male teachers have to offer?
Students need a diverse teaching experience. Teachers of both genders come with varying viewpoints and experiences they can share with students. Diverse experiences allow students to see how female–male relationships work within and outside the classroom.
Many students don’t encounter a male teacher until they reach middle or upper primary school. Wouldn't it be fantastic if students could experience a male teacher in early childhood or lower primary? Male teachers provide strong, positive role models and father figures for students who may not have one.
The benefits of having a male teacher work for students of both genders: boys often need a male adult to talk to about issues they feel uncomfortable sharing with a female teacher, and girls are exposed to and learn to interact with men.
A male educator can help students, especially boys, recognise the value of education. Simply seeing a male teacher reading during silent reading time may change the student's views on literacy.
There is no doubt that all teachers should be of a good quality, no matter the gender. It would be ridiculous to employ a male teacher just to boost the numbers in schools if a female teacher deserves the position on merit (and vice versa).
A program called the MENtor program in South Australia aims to boost the number of men studying teaching. Because of the numbers, male teachers lack the support of other male teachers. This program connects male teachers and tries to alleviate the isolation.
Are you a male teacher enjoying a career in primary education? We'd love to hear your story—please comment below!