'Female Preferred'

Jobs that are not for men

By Amy Or

Though many people believe that sexual discrimination in employment is faced by women only, men do have the same problem.      Teaching young children ballet is one of the jobs that few men can take part in.      Jean M Wong School of Ballet is one of the few that employs male tutors. However, the number of male tutors is still very limited.      There is only one male tutor who gives regular classes to the boys in the school.      Said Mrs Ulian Chun, vice principal of the school: “Most of our students are girls above 4. It would be better to have a female tutor to correct students’ postures for it involves body contact.      “Female tutors are more patient in dealing with children and therefore students accept them more easily,” she added.      Miss Tam, a kindergarten teacher as well as a mother, agreed with the notion that a female is a better choice when dealing with young children.      “Women, in general, show more love and care towards young children. Maybe it is their motherly instinct to love,” said Miss Tam.      Another practical consideration may also hinder kindergartens to employ male teachers — uncertainty of parents’ reaction. Said Miss Tam: “As a parent myself, I may think twice before putting my children into a kindergarten with male teachers.      “I think practical skills like teaching young children how to go to toilet is better taught by female,” she added. “You know, sexual harassment is such a hot topic nowadays.”      Mr Li Siu Kwai of the Equal Opportunities Commission agrees with Miss Tam.      He said that reactions of parties involved is a major factor which discourages employers to hire workers of the minority gender.      Take the situation in kindergartens as an example. According to Mr. Li, uncertainties may arise among parents, principals, other teachers, and the new male teacher himself.      “Is the principal willing to risk losing support of the parents in hiring male teachers in their kindergarten?” asked Mr. Li.      “After all, principals are concerned about making money but not achieving gender equality,” he said.      Other teachers in the kindergarten may feel uncomfortable to the idea of having a male colleague.      Mr. Li said, “In the past, they only have to work with female colleagues. If a male teacher is hired, other teachers may feel uneasy.”      He also pointed out that the male teacher may also feel uneasy.      “Being the only man among colleagues may prompt the new male teacher to get a sense of helplessness,” said Mr. Li.      “Time is needed for every breakthrough,” he said.

---

October, 1997

[Editorial] [Answer] [News] [Social] [Photo] [Education] [Culture] [Channels] [Science] [Celebrity]

Comment   Email Editor-in-Chief   Email Electronic Editor