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Produced by the International Training Centre of the ILO in partnership with the Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry (EUROCHAMBRES)
in the framework of the contract "Raising the awareness of companies about combating gender stereotypes" commissioned by the Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG of the European Commission.
The Caritas Sozialis organisation provides services in the early and latter stages in life.
We specialise in playgroups, nurseries and care for the elderly.
We’ve been running playgroups since 1995.
We have 3 playgroup groups and 2 toddler groups.
Overall we have 105 children.
Our staff is made up of 10% men, 90% women.
Historically the care industries have been dominated by women.
In playgroups too, people think children arebetter looked after by women than men.
Things are changing though, even if quite slowly,
but I think we’re heading in the right direction.
My name is Christian Paul.
I’m 27 and the only male playgroup teacher here, at the CS playgroup.
Yes, there are male teachers as well as female teachers in playgroups.
What made you decide to become a playgroup teacher?
Well, around 14 years ago my baby sister was born.
I was 13 and I used to play with her all the time.
So my mum said:
“There you go! That’s what you can become! A playgroup teacher!“
...all together…
Generally as a man you sort of have to find your own way
in a women-dominated sector and be accepted.
That’s the first step, I think.
One aspect of course can’t be overlooked.
And that is the care sector is very badly paid, and men naturally go for professions where pay is higher.
Christian stayed with us at CS, though, and we’re delighted and very proud of that.
Something interesting I found out at the interview stage was that
after I’d asked 3 or 4 questions and then asked the men wanting to get a job in the care sector
“what are your mid-term goals?”
they would say, “I’d like to be directing the group in the mid-term”.
When I asked women the same question,
they would say, “I’d like to get the job first, get my bearings,
and when my children are old enough, I might think about becoming director”.
You can see these are two totally different ways of going about it.
Throughout the European Union Member States, caring for children,
elderly or disabled persons is treated as women’s work.
The other side of the coin is the negative impact of parenthood on employment for women,
both as an EU average (-12.4 percentage points!) and in almost every single country,
whereas it is positive for men.
In 2007, men with children under 12 had an employment rate 7.3 percentage points
higher than those without!
Moreover, there is a link between the availability of childcare services
and the impact of parenthood on employment rates.
And even though there are significant differences between EU Member States,
everywhere the need for care services is increasing.
Caring for children, elderly or disabled people is a growing job.
Why should men not take advantage of it?
As a colleague and a teacher he’s a joy to be with,
he’s easy to work with as well.
He has a great way of interacting with the children, they love him.
They REALLY love him!
Basically when you start people look at you as if you’re a bit weird,
parents, colleagues even, but that soon changes into a really good vibe
because it is important that there are male teachers as well.
Lena works with Christian at the playgroup.
I think it’s really important to have male playgroup teachers, male carers,
because they bring something different to the job.
Men and women react very differently in certain situations.
And I think that’s good for children, for later in life as well.
They should be exposed to this at an early age.
Over the past 3 months I’ve started to notice
how Julian reacts to Christian and answers his questions,
and I think that ‘s really important for his development.
I think more and more men are now coming into the profession and that’s to be welcomed.
The parents always wanted there to be more men,
so they’re very enthusiastic.
After this experience we decided there should be 3 men on staff at the playgroup
because we think overall it’s important for a child’s development
that it has people of both sexes to interact with.
So I think more men working here would be a positive step forward.
The balance between men and women isn’t, however, as good as it could be yet.
The cliche of playgroups being a female-dominated environment isn’t the best situation, I don’t think,
because I think a perfect playgroup team would consist of equal men and women.
That’s the way we can really get our job done and at the same time meet the children’s needs.
Are women naturally born care givers? No. That’s just a stereotype.
Who are women? Who are men?
They are individuals with their own characteristics, skills and experience.
There are men who, like many women, can be good educators and care-givers.
A balance among men and women in all occupations will lead to a more equal world,
in which the bridging of gender gaps generates top performance and greater well-being.
As it stands, we have 80% women and 20% men.
I’d prefer 50/50, in management positions as well.
I’m sure we might get there maybe in 10 years.
Super, great
This video is supported under the European Community Programme for Employment and Social Solidarity (2007-2013). This programme is managed by the Employment, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities DG of the European Commission.
It was established to financially support the implementation of the objectives of the European Union in the employment and social affairs area, as set out in the Social Agenda, and thereby contribute to the achievement of the Lisbon Strategy goals in these fields.
The seven-year Programme targets all stakeholders who can help shape the development of appropriate and effective employment and social legislation and policies, across the EU-27, EFTA-EEA and EU candidate and pre-candidate countries.
PROGRESS mission is to strengthen the EU contribution in support of Member States' commitments and efforts to create more and better jobs and to build a more cohesive society.
To that effect, PROGRESS will be instrumental in:(1) providing analysis and policy advice on PROGRESS policy areas;
(2) monitoring and reporting on the implementation of EU legislation and policies in PROGRESS policy areas;
(3) promoting policy transfer, learning and support among Member States on EU objectives and priorities; and
(4) relaying the views of the stakeholders and society at large.
For more information see:http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=327&langId=en
The information contained in this video does not necessarily reflect the position or opinion of the European Commission.
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