Misconception About Your Job/Major?

[Washburne]

"You must be a paedo if you're a bloke and chose to work with kids

Ah, yes. The paedo angle. Luckily for me no one has never said those things to my face. On the occasions when a story about a paedo working with kids blow up in the news I've had my fair share of suspicious looks coming my way. Many very far from subtle.

 

[Buffy Summers]

That is just terrible 🙁

 

[Xin Rong]

Ah, yes. The paedo angle. Luckily for me no one has never said those things to my face. On the occasions when a story about a paedo working with kids blow up in the news I've had my fair share of suspicious looks coming my way. Many very far from subtle.

I've had it from a randomer in a pub once, it was very bizarre.

Other than that, I just get the occasional odd look when a kid runs to hug me or hold my hand, such a weird double standard at times...

 

[Mr Trick]

I've had it from a randomer in a pub once, it was very bizarre.

Other than that, I just get the occasional odd look when a kid runs to hug me or hold my hand, such a weird double standard at times...

Would be interested to know if this stereotype dates back or if its a more recent thing based on the number of recent cases we've seen in the news. It is insane. Even if someone thinks a man working in such a profession isn't normal its still a leap then to label him a paedo.

 

[Xin Rong]

I've worked in education for over 6 years, and it's not a new thing. Children naturally go for hugs etc. which seems fine when it's to a female, but when it's a male people start being awkward... I understand the apprehension but it's frustrating, I hate feeling awkward when a child shows me affection, just because I'm a male. The worst part is I work in an especially deprived area where lots of the children lack any kind of male role model so lots of them gravitate towards me, luckily, I put the kids first and put up with the occasional funny glances and focus on making the kids feel valued so they don't have another male reject them.

 

[nancylives]

yep, count me in as a male who works early childhood who is not a fan of such assumptions. i work with children because: children are awesome. i also really like spiders, so my not-so-secret agenda is to teach people to grow up loving spiders and not being afraid of them. but it's amazing how being a male in primary and early ed especially manages to lead people to insult men, women, and children, by suggesting the work isn't hard or isn't challenging or isn't meaningful. i work pretty much exclusively with woman, who i owe everything to, my development as a teacher, my development as a professional, and my overall ability to do this work.

i'm a public school teacher, and another assumption that makes me CRAZY is that i am responsible for the downfall of the country. yep, that's it, blame the teachers.

still, i love my work, don't care what anyone thinks, and wouldn't do anything else (well, except maybe be a park ranger).