Would A Male Director Keep You Away?

[Unregistered]

My mom owns a small daycare with about 30 kids and she recently asked me to get licensed to become the director, I'm all for it but I'm worried about the parents response to a male director.

Are men in daycares common? Would you as a parent be put off if there were a male director? Does it change things if you knew I was only a director and not a teacher?

Also, I don't mean to sound sexist, I just think that men in daycares probably aren't that common.

[Unregistered]

I will be honest. I would not want my child to have a male teacher. I would be ok with a male director since they are not really in the trenches so to speak being hands on for the most part.

[Pestle]

The sexism cuts both ways--people of both genders assume that men are better at being in charge.

[Play Care]

I'd have no issue with that.
The day camp I send my own kids to in the summer has a male director. We really like him.

[DaveA]

"One off" positions (director/ admin, cook, transport, etc.) doesn't seem to face the same scrutiny as teaching/ direct care positions do. Especially being your family business I don't think it will cause much of an issue. Do you work there now? In what capacity? Honesty if you're coming in new with no experience that would cause more headaches than being male.


I started in my Mom's center also and never had a problem while I was there. When I went to other centers........well that's a different story.

[Blackcat31]

What's the difference? :confused:

I've seen passive-aggressive women who have trouble managing both groups of children and groups of other adults and have issues running a business.

I've seen men behave the same way.

I've seen women that rock at this.
I've seen men do the same.

I don't think either sex/gender is "ideal"

What IS ideal is a good mixture of exposure to every type of positive experience a teacher and/or caregiver can offer.

Every caregiver/teacher that comes into a child's life has something positive and unique to offer that child and to think one can do a better or does a worse job than the other because of gender is sad and disheartening.

[DaveA]

What's the difference? :confused:

There isn't one, but I'll be the cynic. This is a "safe" bias. If the question subbed a race/ orientation/ religion for "male' or if it was a woman in a "man's job", the condemnation would be swift and pretty much universal. But this one isn't perceived like those. Continuing to be cynical- I don't think it will change on large scale anytime soon. Directors who won't hire men won't land themselves in hot water with EEOC, parents who won't use a male provider won't be told they're discriminating against men, and providers who won't let husbands in "their" daycare won't be told they're belittling or diminishing their husbands instead of "protecting" them.

Sorry if that sounds harsh. Guess I woke up on the "Grouchy SOB" side of the bed this morning. In OP's case I don't think it will be a issue because of it being a family business and making the assumption he is already known there.

[Blackcat31]

There isn't one, but I'll be the cynic. This is a "safe" bias. If the question subbed a race/ orientation/ religion for "male' or if it was a woman in a "man's job", the condemnation would be swift and pretty much universal. But this one isn't perceived like those. Continuing to be cynical- I don't think it will change on large scale anytime soon. Directors who won't hire men won't land themselves in hot water with EEOC, parents who won't use a male provider won't be told they're discriminating against men, and providers who won't let husbands in "their" daycare won't be told they're belittling or diminishing their husbands instead of "protecting" them.

Sorry if that sounds harsh. Guess I woke up on the "Grouchy SOB" side of the bed this morning. In OP's case I don't think it will be a issue because of it being a family business and making the assumption he is already known there.

Hey, no back lash from me.... I agree that that is the way it is, but for lack of better words that really pisses me off!

For all the reasons/examples you gave...

It's ridiculous and silly.

It's even more shameful and horrifying that early childhood educators, providers and caregivers that consider themselves professional, educated and non-biased or those that feel they "belong" in this field actually have the audacity to say they too share in the bias.

That infuriates me.

Cynical?? That's perfectly acceptable consider this is more than likely something you deal with on different levels every day but like I said, it's an shame and an embarrassment to this entire profession that we can have the issues we are currently facing in the world (race/religion/education etc) and yet still feel that somehow we are "protecting" our children by limiting their contact with males in their early years. :confused:


...okay, I gotta leave this topic...I can feel my blood pressure rising

[CheekyChick]

There is a fabulous male Director in my city and I have heard only amazing and positive things about him.

[CalCare]

I only care about education and experience and, obviously, that teachers and directors are background checked. So, no, male or female doesn't bother me. But, I have worked with some great male teachers. Maybe many parents wouldn't have had that chance beforhand and would worry? Sexist , but could be.

[daycare]

I think it is so sad that we even have to ask this question. It should not matter what your gender is. All that should matter is that you are a good person who can do a good job in a positive and encouraging way.

I have a male employee who is also gay, he is hands down my best employee and the most loved by the children. We have now been together for 4.5 years

I have had a few parents question it and I just tell them, if you are not comfortable, we would not be a good fit for your family. But then I have had them question my husbands tattoos too. REALLY PEOPLE what does that have to do with how you love someone or care for someone.

I say go for it if you think you would excel at it.

[Cat Herder]

If the question was a woman in a "man's job", the condemnation would be swift and pretty much universal.

As a woman who faced extreme physical hazing, glass ceilings, less pay and non-stop sexual harassment for many years in "a mans job", I could not disagree more. :hug:

Unjustified discrimination ****s in ANY direction.

Each generation has to throw down their gravel.... It is just your turn. Keep proving them wrong.

[Controlled Chaos]

As long as he isn't polish.

<Sarcasm>

Insert any gender, race, ethnicity, religion etc into the conversation and its straight discrimination. So the OP's question is basically "Would you discriminate?" Our answers may reveal something about who we are as people, but it doesn't answer whether you should take the job. Maybe this is an enlightened community of people who would never discriminate and check their privilege when applicable. Maybe we are a group of sexist and racist jerks. Either way, I don't think we are going to be an accurate sample of people that are comparable to the community you live in.

If you want the job, you should do it. The more people that do the jobs they want, rather than worry about other people's perceptions about what the right person for the job looks, like the better. That's how stereotypes get dismantled.

[galaxy]

Nope, would not bother me. Do you qualify? Did you pass a background check? Do you have the right temperament to deal with children if the situation arises? If yes to all those then I don't see a problem. I think it is ridiculous that people now a days still have a problem with men doing what is considered stereotypical "woman's work".

[DaveA]

As a woman who faced extreme physical hazing, glass ceilings, less pay and non-stop sexual harassment for many years in "a mans job", I could not disagree more. :hug:

Unjustified discrimination ****s in ANY direction.

Each generation has to throw down their gravel.... It is just your turn. Keep proving them wrong.

Oh don't get me wrong- I'm not saying it doesn't happen waytoo often or trying to justify it when it does. Like you said- ****s in any direction.

What I was trying to say was some of the same people who would break out the bullhorn, torches, and pitchforks in your case would either shrug off, rationalize, or dismiss as "not their fight" my situation. Of course I would be expected to support "their side". I don't know if I've used this example or not, but years ago I had a rather heated discussion at a conference with an ECE professor. She flat out said they should discourage men from getting into childcare. Her reason: Making it more diverse would weaken women's power in one of the few industries they truly "rule the roost" in. A fascinating fatally flawed argument.

Like I said- a bit of a grouch this morning and wasn't in the mood for tact or subtlety.::