The Teacher with the Beard: A Nurturing Male Helps Children Overcome Bias

• In Event: Male Teachers as Cultural Workers in the Lives of Children, Families, and Communities

Abstract

For a variety of reasons our society holds a bias against men working with children. This bias permeates basic interactions such that even a person’s very appearance can cause consternation. The presenter examines some of the reasons behind anti-male bias in preschool and recognizes how many of these biases are developed early in life. He therefore reflects on some of his own experiences working with children and how he has helped children to examine their own biases with regard to gender through his own role as a nurturing male, a role that counteracts many of the stereotypical image of masculinity.

In addressing such biases he does not limit himself to just young children’s unconscious biases with regard to gender roles, but also examines older children’s biases with regard to sexuality as well, along with ways he has helped them internalize non-judgmental attitudes. With the influence of an anti-bias curriculum (Derman-Sparks et. al., 1989; Pelo & Davidson, 2000) guiding his classroom experience as a teacher and a researcher, he comes to the conclusion that the more children are able to confront their own assumptions and stereotyped perceptions, the more they will be able to move past them. It is therefore important that children be exposed to men who are not constrained by the stereotypes that society provides.

The presenter will share some excerpts from his paper, providing the audience with the opportunity to jointly reflect on the impact of his experiences and what teachers can do to help children overcome their biases.

References:
Derman-Sparks, L. & the ABC Task Force. (1989). Anti-bias curriculum: Tools for empowering young children
Pelo, A. & Davidson, F. (2000). That’s not fair! A teacher’s guide to activism with young children. St. Paul, MN: Redleaf Press.

Author

• Jeffrey M. Daitsman, National-Louis University