What do young men think about working with children?

Around 83% of parents want more men teaching in primary schools, in part to provide children with male role models. Yet men make up just 16% of the primary school workforce. The situation is even worse in early years, with men accounting for only 2% of employees. A panel of male primary school teachers has been set up to look at how to address the imbalance, while a government recruitment campaign to attract more men into childcare has been running since 2000. But what does the future generation of prospective male teachers and childcare workers think would make these jobs more attractive?

Muhammad
If I told my friends I wanted to work in a nursery or primary school, they would think I was weird. But I would never consider it because teaching isn’t my sort of thing. I can’t think of anything that would make it attractive. I do like the idea of working with children – I have five brothers and sisters who I get on really well with. I went with my dad, who is a dentist, with a team of doctors to help people in Kosovo. I’d like to be able to help like that too. So I want to become a paediatrician. I think boys can stray off the track more than girls, so male role models are important for them.
Muhammad is 16

Ben
If I told my friends I wanted to work in a nursery or primary school, they would think I was weird. But I would never consider it because teaching isn’t my sort of thing. I can’t think of anything that would make it attractive. I do like the idea of working with children – I have five brothers and sisters who I get on really well with. I went with my dad, who is a dentist, with a team of doctors to help people in Kosovo. I’d like to be able to help like that too. So I want to become a paediatrician. I think boys can stray off the track more than girls, so male role models are important for them.
Ben is 15

Josh
I had thought about working with young children because my mum says I’m really good with them. But children can be really cheeky and I don’t think I could handle it. If you can’t stand the heat get out of the kitchen. I don’t have a male role model and I don’t think it’s important. I live with my mum and don’t see my dad. But I am close to my mum and am really happy.
Josh is 13

Tom
I teach the guitar to some younger kids, but I don’t think I’d like to work with young children as a profession. I get frustrated easily and can have quite a temper. I don’t think I’d have the patience. Several of my male teachers have inspired me to think about teaching once or twice. But it just doesn’t interest me. I don’t think there is anything that could be done to make it more attractive to me.
Tom is 15

Ben
Pay is obviously a big issue. If I’m going to stay in London longer than while I’m living with my parents I’ll need a job that pays the rent. I’m already working with young people coaching them to swim after school. My own coach makes teaching seem effortless but I now know how difficult it can be. It’s worthwhile but I don’t think I would be interested in a career working with children even if the pay was improved.
Ben is 16