How I Once Got Turned Down For A Job Because I'm a Man

All too often gender discrimination is something we associate with female victimisation. However, it is something that is quite common in the profession of teaching.

Many years ago I went to a private academy looking for work. The young receptionist was pleasant enough. But I was quite taken aback when she told me that although there was a position open, and I was more than qualified and experienced there was no point taking it any further due to the fact that I was a man.

"Excuse me, what did you say? Is there a problem with being male?"

"Yes, I'm afraid there is. You see our students are all young children and we feel that the parents wouldn't like their child to be left alone in the presence of a man."

"I'm sorry, this is nothing less than scandalous discrimination based upon the misguided myth all men are potential child molesters. You do realise that you are breaking the law, don't you?"

"I'm sorry I'm very busy, you can leave now."

Now I have to say that is not the first time I have come across this type of discrimination. Many years ago in my free time I used to go to the local swimming baths for a long swim. By chance, my son's school started to run swimming classes at the same public baths. I knew this because the boys used to run amok in the male changing rooms as there was nobody there to control them.

I took the trouble to visit the school and offered to be the responsible male adult at the baths since the school had no male teachers on their roll. Even though the teachers knew me very well, I was immediately eyed with suspicion. I was informed that the school had a policy of not allowing any male presence at the baths due to concerns about a male's real intentions.

The boys continued to run amok and there was nothing I could do about them putting their own safety at risk due to running around on the wet floor.

I have to say that there does seem to be a preference for female teachers in schools, especially elementary schools full of young children. This is possibly because a lot of men do not care to teach elementary school children, or maybe society does not believe that men have the correct nurturing skills and abilities.

Personally, as a father of four children, I feel more than capable of dealing with anything kids might throw at me, be it a temper tantrum or a fall. It just seems to me that society has set its stall out to exclude men from teaching younger children, all for one or two bad apples. Well, let me tell you, as a young child myself I was mistreated by very unpleasant female teachers every bit as much as male ones.

I suppose being a man does have some very real disadvantages as well as its presumed advantages. They used to say 'It's a man's world.' I am not so sure if that was ever totally true and even if it was, it isn't any more.