Home Hot Topics Articles Directors' Choice Awards About Us / Contact Us Activities & Curriculum Activities for Outcome-Based Learning Arts & Crafts Music for Learning Recommended Reading Sharing Boards: What Do YOU Think? NEWSlink Current National News Conference Calendar Topics In Early Childhood Education Art and Creativity in Early Childhood Education Job Sharing Board State Licensing Requirements Stay Connected! Each month we'll send you an email filled with articles and ideas for your classroom. Subscribe Now Date: 5/1/2000 4:00:00 PM Author: Craig d'Arcy (cd.sups.ecc@adlink.com.au) Subject: Men in EC Judy, I respect your opinion and your thoughts, but I feel compelled to reply to you in what I hope to be a constructive way. The points I wish to make are as follows: * Your comments do highlight for me the reasons behind my research, that is, we should not have males just because of their gender, but if they are the best person for the job. The same goes for females. * Just because you have had a bad experience with one male worker does not mean that all males are bad. According to your logic, if there was a bad female worker, then all females should not work with children.That's crazy!! * As a senior, trained staff member, you have a responsibility to challenge this worker to maintain a higher standard of care and teamwork. Working with children does not just mean the face to face care, but all of the other dynamics that ensures a quality programme e.g. teamwork, personal/professsional development, etc etc. * Have you ever read of the value of male involvement in young children's lives ? I would see this as basic knowledge that all teachers should be aware of. * My main concern is the effect your attitude would be having on the children. They are like sponges and would definitely be picking up on your negative vibes towards males. The ramifications would be for both boys and girls. * I also wonder how the fathers involved in your programme would feel if made aware of your attitude. According to you, the dads who are actively involved in the care of their children should just give up, as they are not suitable. That is outrageous. * I also wonder how other females in your workplace feel. You are placing women as just child carers, and are perpetuating the feminist struggle - that they should not be in positions of power e.g. coach, principal (your words). * In your second last point you stated that males should not be with "the ones who need a person who is like a Mom, Granny, or Aunt". How the hell do you know if a particular child only needs a female role model? * " It is part of being human to care for our young" (Levine, 1978) Don't ever forget that!! * Thankyou for your response to this message board, it will be very useful for my research. Name: Email: Subject

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