"I am a man, but i am a pre-school education teacher": Self- and social-perception of male pre-school teachers

ERDEN Ş., ÖZGÜN Ö., Ciftci M. A.

3rd World Conference on Educational Sciences (WCES), İstanbul, Turkey, 3 - 07 February 2011, vol.15, pp.3199-3204 identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Conference Paper / Full Text
  • Volume: 15
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.04.271
  • City: İstanbul
  • Country: Turkey
  • Page Numbers: pp.3199-3204
  • Keywords: Male Teachers, Pre-school Education, Self and Social Perception of Teachers, ISSUES
  • Çukurova University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

While women have traditionally assumed more responsibility in childcare, men preferred technical jobs. Thus, not many men work in childcare settings. This study explores Turkish male pre-school teachers', their friends' and families' perspectives about men working in pre-schools. To this end, we conducted in depth interviews with eight male pre-school teachers in Adana, Turkey. Results revealed that although participants wanted to work in the field of education, they had not preferred to work in pre-school settings. In addition male teachers were found to be strange by their families and friends. (c) 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd.