Good news for kids, bad news for men? The role of men in childcare is being put under the microscope after disturbing allegations of child sexual abuse at multiple centers in Melbourne.
But experts warn that banning men from working in childcare might not be the solution we think it is.
Hundreds of families in Melbourne are on high alert after childcare worker Joshua Dale Brown was charged with over 70 sex offenses against kids.
While it’s natural to be cautious about men working closely with children, University of South Australia early childhood education senior lecturer Martyn Mills-Bayne believes banning men from the sector would have an adverse effect.
“Children need to see a diverse group of adults around them in childcare and in life,” he explains. “Young boys and girls need to see good men around them who are demonstrating how to be in the world… if you take men out of that, kids won’t have access to those good relationships demonstrated by male educators.”
The Real Problem: Systemic Issues in Childcare
About 8% of early childhood educators are male, but that figure includes those who don’t work directly with kids.
The best estimate is that male educators make up between 2-4% of the workforce.
Early childhood education advocate Lisa Bryant says we need to talk about the role of gender in the sector, but we also need to acknowledge that we need male educators in childcare.
“It’s often a tightrope that male workers are walking to protect the children and themselves,” Dr. Mills-Bayne adds.
The Traditional View: Male Educators Need to Prove Themselves
South Australian pre-school educator Ryan (who asked to remain anonymous) says there’s still a traditional view that female educators are more compassionate and nurturing.
“I come to work and I try to operate in a capacity that I can support the children in the same way as a female educator,” he shares. “I’m always conscious of my interactions with children, still offering that warmth and support but just being aware.”
Ryan would be deeply saddened if there was a ban on male childcare workers, as for many kids, these educators are the only male role models in their lives.
Australia Needs to Rethink Early Learning
Dr. Mills-Bayne agrees that the issues in childcare are systemic, and we need to re-examine early learning in Australia.
More vigorous police checks, CCTV in centers, and a national register for early childhood educators are all ways to stop people slipping through the cracks, he suggests.