Reply #78: Because I heard it when I wanted to be a teacher [View All]

[booley]

Many times men are not encouraged to be teachers in lower grades or enter child care. And at least some of this has to do with the satanic panics in the 80s that painted day cares (especially men whop worked there) are crazed pedophiles.

One can also see this in the media where female predators are seen as novelties. But the creepy male teacher who seduces his students is a cliche. It's assumed that men are not nurturers like women and so many take the next logical step in that and assume that a man who wants to be around children who aren't his may have something wrong with him.

That doesn't translate into "all men are predators". But it does mean that more women apply for those jobs, more women get those jobs and more parents give hints that they are not comfortable with a grown man taking care of their little girl.

Have I done a double blind study researching this?

No.

But I have heard from enough people and seen enough of it myself to have a pretty good idea that it's going on. It may not be the only factor but sure contributes to the problem.