Can a Male Be a Kindergarten Teacher?

It’s uncommon to see male teachers in kindergarten classes. In fact, of the roughly 1.5 million kindergarten teachers in the US, only 8% are men. So, why are males less likely to pursue a career in early childhood education?

A male can be a kindergarten teacher. However, this career choice is not popular among males due to worries over low benefits and compensation. Additionally, there’s a stigma surrounding males teaching very young children.

Throughout this post, you’ll find out why male kindergarten teachers are rare, whether or not they are accepted in early years education, and why it is essential to promote more balance in the workforce.

Table of Contents

Why Are Male Kindergarten Teachers So Rare?

It is well documented that having a balanced labor force of female and male teachers could significantly improve the development of children, especially young boys, who often need male role models in education to validate the importance of learning.

However, male kindergarten teachers are still rare because they aren’t paid as much. Added to this concern is the stigma surrounding men working with little children. To add to the problem, schools are reluctant to hire male kindergarten teachers because of prejudices and the potential for a parental uproar.

Let’s take a deeper look at each of these issues below.

Low Status

A study by Medium shows that most people view elementary school teaching as ‘low-status’ work. And if we consider how conventional gender notions place a greater onus on men seeking high-status careers, it explains why they are less likely to pursue early education opportunities as it isn’t a sign of high position or stature.

The presumption that being a kindergarten teacher is easy adds to the trifling status of the profession, further putting men off from considering this career path.

Low Pay

With a median salary of $60,369 (according to salary.com), teaching kindergarten doesn’t pay as much as teaching high school or college. Depending on the state where the teacher works, annual income could be as low as $27,000.

Whether they’re the sole provider or want to bring more money home, men are less likely to teach early education for the pay alone.

Income over time is also relatively limited, with kindergarten teachers having fewer opportunities to advance and boost their earnings.

Teaching higher grades almost always provided a greater earning potential with increased leadership opportunities and more advanced roles, making them more appealing to men.

Stigma of Working With Young Children

According to Slate, numerous anonymous male kindergarten teachers reported worries about being accused of misconduct, which significantly deterred them from the position.

Statistically, most cases of sexual assault and violence against children are committed by males. Due to this widely known fact, male teachers harbor a legitimate fear that they could be labeled as potential sexual predators and even be falsely accused of sexual abuse toward students.

An allegation of sexual misconduct, even if proven untrue, would completely ruin a teacher’s reputation and have far-reaching professional and personal consequences.

The teachers interviewed in the article claimed they were apprehensive about hugging their students or giving one-on-one advice, which is very common in early childhood education.

Difficulties Getting Hired

Some potential male kindergarten teachers have reported difficulties throughout the hiring process as a factor for the gender imbalance. The abovementioned stigma against men in early education can make it difficult for males to get hired.

For instance, the belief that females are more caring and nurturing than males creates the assumption that males would not make for effective kindergarten teachers. Therefore, schools and parents are more likely to favor female applicants for vacant kindergarten roles.

Another difficulty faced by aspiring male kindergarten teachers occurs during the interview process. Men face more scrutiny and questioning over safeguarding matters than women, which can be intimidating and off-putting.

Because males are less likely to encounter the same difficulties in higher grades, they opt to work in the upper classes instead of kindergarten.

Here’s an informative YouTube clip of a male kindergarten teacher who struggled to get hired (which he believes is because he’s a male):

Nonetheless, being a male kindergarten teacher might not be very common, but it’s more than possible.

Is It OK To Be a Male Kindergarten Teacher?

It’s OK to be a male kindergarten teacher as there are no laws, rules, or regulations against it. In fact, having more male kindergarten teachers should be encouraged as they are crucial in the development of young boys and girls. However, men are typically more likely to pursue teaching in higher education for better annual pay.

An article by Marian University claims that more men are looking for a career in early education to show empathy and other emotions necessary for boys and girls. Having empathetic male role models can help younger boys understand that they can be masculine without having to live up to a certain societal standard.

Consider these reasons why more men can and should be kindergarten teachers:

Breaking The Stigma

Men who pursue a career in kindergarten can help break the stigma and open the door to other males to consider a career in early years education.

Schools and parents will be more accepting of male kindergarten teachers if they see more of them in action, with the recruitment process becoming fairer as a result.

Expanding career aspirations can also help improve the pay scale since a broader workforce will contribute to pushing wage demands.

Breaking these stigmas and stereotypes isn’t only beneficial for male teachers; it’s an excellent way to improve the entire education system for growing boys and girls.

Being Role Models

In an interview with ABC News, Michael Thompson explains that young boys need male role models in the classroom. Not only does this make them feel more included through representation, but it also helps them know that studying and learning are not gender specific.

For young boys from disadvantaged or troubled backgrounds, having male teachers is especially important as it demonstrates examples of responsible, non-violent men who can interact positively with others.

Provide a Different Approach to Behavior Management

Having a balance of male and female teachers can improve nurturing discipline at a young age. Nurturing female teachers allow young children to feel heard and taken care of. On the other hand, a nurturing or disciplining male teacher shows boys and girls that men can be just as empathetic as females.

Moreover, according to this study by Bjorn Hanson (2020), the “extraversion” characteristics most common in men – assertiveness and decisiveness – are better suited for some students when it comes to behavior management.

Risk-taking is another trait more associated with males, which refers to teachers having the confidence to take calculated risks in making their lessons more adventurous and engaging, thus reducing disruptive behavior.

A More Balanced Workforce

Gender balance in the workplace has many benefits, including enhanced decision-making processes and improved performance, because people from different backgrounds see challenges differently.

According to The Hechinger Report, children are more likely to feel a balance of playful activities and discipline if they have an even mix of male and female teachers. They’re also less likely to have confusion or incorrect opinions formed on gender roles in the modern workplace.

Additionally, students seem to connect better with staff that represents the school’s demographics, i.e., if the school has an equal ratio of boys to girls, then the school’s faculty should mirror this.

Having men in traditionally-women jobs and vice versa is crucial, especially in the education system. Unfortunately, there’s a stagnant rate of men choosing careers in preschool and kindergarten.

In an ideal education system, there should be an even mix of male and female teachers from preschool through college. Knowing the abovementioned benefits will hopefully boost the number of men wanting to become kindergarten teachers.

Final Thoughts

Male kindergarten teachers aren’t as common as male teachers in upper grades – an unfortunate trend that adversely affects students and teachers.

Students are deprived of positive male role models, a balanced view of education, and different approaches and ideas that come with a more balanced faculty. At the same time, teachers are negatively affected because they are stuck in the perpetuation of traditional gender roles, where the recruitment process is not based on merit, where there is an apparent disparity in earnings, and where kindergarten teachers are shown less status and appreciation.

The presence of male kindergarten teachers is invaluable for helping young children learn positive behavior, develop self-confidence, and create healthy relationships, all of which contribute to better academic outcomes.

Much work goes into choosing a career in education. If a male sees the challenges mentioned above in one grade over another, they’re more likely to pursue work in upper grades.

Breaking the stigma and raising pay grades will likely result in more men teaching in kindergarten and even preschool.

Sources

Zippia: Kindergarten Teacher Demographics and Statistics in the US