Failing to attract males in foundation phase teaching: an issue of masculinities

The Challenges Faced by Male Primary Teachers

“…Fenton's comments suggest that men who work with young children are perceived as suspicious by society. This belief was supported by previous research (e.g., Bhana & Moosa, 2016;Mills et al, 2008;Smith, 2008) that stated that male primary teachers have to deal with societal suspicions of being paedophiles, sexually deviant and therefore dangerous to children. If male primary teachers are truly perceived this way by society, then their fear of the consequences of a misinterpretation appeared entirely justified.…”

“…This situation often entails them being seen as effective disciplinarians, sport coaches and role models for boys whilst conversely being perceived as potential paedophiles and consequently dangerous to children (Burn & Pratt-Adams, 2015;Cushman, 2008;Martino 2008;Mills et al, 2008;Smith, 2008). These and numerous other studies (e.g., Bhana & Moosa, 2016;Cushman, 2007;Mills et al, 2004) have shown that gender is a powerful influence on a person's experiences as a primary school teacher. Of particular relevance to this study is how constructions of gender affected the behaviour and perceptions of Tasmanian male primary school teachers.…”

“…Along with negative media coverage this section has detailed the proximal contextual challenges evident in society that influence male primary teacher retention. These variables include challenges related to homosexuality and paedophilia (Bhana & Moosa, 2016;Mills et al, 2004;Smith, 2008), the disapproval of friends, family and society (Cushman, 2005a;Foster & Newman, 2005;Mulholland & Hansen, 2003), and low salaries and status of the primary teaching profession (Commonwealth of Australia, 1998;Cushman 2007;Rentzou, 2016). These contextual challenges were drivers for the design of a survey instrument that was used to gain the opinions of a larger number of participants, before this data was examined in greater depth during the second interview stage of this study.…”

“…Participants such as Fred and Harry were willing to do this, yet most participants indicated that they were not comfortable with this more hands on approach. This was likely to be caused by men who display a more caring masculinity being perceived by society as possibly gay or a paedophile (Bhana & Moosa, 2016;Mills et al, 2004). Challenging traditional gender stereotypes by adopting a more caring and nurturing approach appeared to be very difficult for those men who did not feel they were able to provide children with the same level of physical comfort their female colleagues could without their actions being deemed as suspicious.…”

“…Men who choose to teach in the younger grades are consistently positioned as abnormal or deviant, and consequently seen as possibly gay or a paedophile (Bhana & Moosa, 2016;Mills et al, 2004). At the same time calls for more men in primary schools continue (e.g., Carrington, et al, 2007, Martin & Marsh, 2005).…”