The text talks about how the early childhood education field is predominately female. At the preschool that I used to work at, it was all females. At the preschool that I work at now, we have a male teacher and an male aide, which is quite different. However, I feel that gender does not make a difference in anyones passion in teaching. The way that my fellow teacher teaches is really amazing and he handles situations well. I feel that sometimes, he does a better job than most teachers that I have worked with. So what does that say about gender roles? I feel that it is offensive for people to say that teaching is a woman's job. Why does it make it a woman's job? I feel that I work just as hard and it is very tiring just as any job there is.
Do you ever think that when you tell someone that you are working in the education field, that it is expected of you because you are a woman? Women are always known as being the caregiver at home and the ones who take care of children, nurture the children, and care for the home. However, roles are changing now where men are starting to be the ones who care for the children because their wives are the ones who are the breadwinners. The male teacher that I work with, he is the primary caregiver for his 4 year old daughter because his wife is the one who makes more money. Does this mean that society is changing? Does that make it wrong for men to be the primary caregiver?
Hi Monica,
ReplyDeleteDo you think if the ECE profession was predominately male the same lack of respect would exist? Is there any difference in the way in-coming parents perceive teachers in your current classroom compared to the other program you worked at?
I am not sure if I am understanding you clearly on this point but do you feel offended when people make comments that de-value your profession? Or the fact they are using the phrase "woman's job" in a degrading you or the profession?
I agree with your point that the society is moving out of the traditional gender roles of pasted generations. As a woman, I have been gaining a sense from those I encounter a push to be a "super woman", a wife, a mother, involved in the community, and have a career. Do you think society is pushing women to be "super women"? How do we change society's gender role perspective related to our profession?
What do you want the children in your classroom to learn about gender roles?
Aloha Monica,
ReplyDeleteDoes gender matter in our profession? In any profession? Does it matter to you who cares for your young child? What are the different opinions people have about men and women as teachers and as caregivers? Do you think there is a different between teaching and caregiving?
Chloe