Encouraging Men into the ECE Sector. Having Informed Conversations.

Abstract

In the ECE sector, & indeed in our wider society, there is a growing awareness that the current dearth of men teaching in the ECE context is neither ‘natural’ nor ‘as it should be’. The profound lack of men working in ECE merely reflects, & ultimately upholds, unhelpful, limiting & out-dated notions of what constitutes men’s & women’s work. This presentation draws on recent research to unpack some of the factors that might attract men into ECE, to consider some of the circumstances that may create opportunities for men to join ECE & to consider, from a distinctly male perspective, some of the intrinsic rewards found in a career in ECE. This information provides an informed platform from which to engage with men in conversations about ECE & to encourage men to consider ECE as a viable & attractive vocation.