Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/recruiting-and-retaining-men-in-your-center/5009705/
A distinguished looking elderly man is shown asking his financial advisor, "I'd really like to take this job. It's something I've been wanting to do for a long time. What I want to know is whether I can afford to do this." The advisor assures him that his stock portfolio guarantees him financial security, and the commercial closes showing the gentleman playing happily with children in a child care center.Many from the early childhood community applauded this financial services commercial for showing child care in such a positive light.
Others were not so happy.
Alan Berlin, executive director of Southern Oregon Child and Family Council Head Start in Central Point, Oregon, was angered by the commercial. He argued that it gave the message that the man chose child care only after he determined that he was already financially secure. It fostered the prevailing view that men cannot afford to pursue careers as preschool teachers.
The issue of men working in child care is haunted by such clashing perspectives:
_ At a time when the media is playing up the new caring, sensitive man of the '90s, less and less men are finding their way into the caring professions.
_ While many ...