III. How Others See Professional Caregiving Men

To better gauge how the general public responds to professional male caregivers, we presented two photos sequentially to two general population online focus groups of adults over age 18, one exclusively men, and the other exclusively women. First, we showed a photo of a male nurse caring for a patient with the accompanying question, “If you had to guess, what do you think working in this job is like for him as a man? Do you think patients are surprised to see him there? Do you think they’d be comfortable or uncomfortable? And how would you feel being treated by him?”

We then presented a photo of a male childcare provider/early care and education teacher with the question, “If you had to guess, what do you think working in this job is like for him as a man? How do you think parents or other staff members react to him working in that environment?”

Overall, the men and women in both groups expressed views more accepting of a male nurse than a male childcare provider. They mostly took a gender neutral stance regarding nursing, but expressed gender specific attitudes regarding male childcare providers. Men’s and women’s views were quite similar, though some differences emerged with regards to how male nurses and male childcare providers are perceived by patients and parents, respectively.

(Male nurse photo similar to the photo shown to focus group participants)

In both general population focus groups, men and women expressed a gender-neutral ethic regarding nursing care. They largely shared the view that gender is irrelevant to the profession; what matters is possessing the right talents, skills, and qualifications. James, 48, echoed most men in his focus group when he stated, “I think the job is important, not the sex of the person doing it. I believe that the person should be qualified, empathetic and do a good job. I would feel fine about being treated by him.” The women from the general population expressed a very similar sentiment. Janet, 58, spoke of her positive experiences with men in nursing: “I have seen male nurses who have been very kind, patient, and caring. They have spoken with compassion and been very effective. Whatever the gender of a nurse, the importance is the job they have done.” A couple of men and women also noted that some men’s physical strength and fitness is an asset in nursing.

Both men and women were largely accepting of men in nursing and were confident that others generally felt the same. Most people today, they claimed, perceive a male nurse as normal. As Colin, 41, explained, “I know a few male nurses and they are very comfortable in their jobs. I don't get the impression that it's [unusual] for men to be nurses and I would not be concerned if a man was my nurse.” Some acknowledged that a minority of “old fashioned” people may perceive a male nurse as strange and might be hesitant to receive his care. Kari, 51, for example, reasoned that “…most people are comfortable with male nurses. There may be some from an older generation that are not comfortable. I have had many male nurses. I am comfortable with them.”

Almost universally, the women and men in the focus groups stated that they personally would feel fine being treated by a male nurse. A few women were more comfortable being treated by a female nurse, and a few men also noted this preference among some women. But even the minority of women who preferred female nurses said this only applied for certain types of care: “I would be comfortable [with a male nurse], but there are times when I would be more comfortable with a female nurse” (Margaret, 43). One interesting gender difference in the general population’s perception of men in nursing was that several women suggested that patients will likely assume he is a doctor; no men mentioned this possibility. “I do have to admit that I may at first think he is the doctor. I know that is stereotypical,” said Samantha, 52.

(Early Care and Education Teacher photo similar to the photo shown to focus group participants)

In contrast, the men and women in both general population focus groups were less comfortable with the photo portraying a man childcare provider. Their perception of male childcare workers and educators revealed some gendered assumptions and stereotypes. The majority of both men and women felt that parents would be suspicious of a man in this profession, or that they would think it strange that men were in this role. Mary Beth, 61, expressed her discomfort and imagined parents of young kids felt the same: “I think it would be strange for a man to work there. Parents would probably think that a woman would be more qualified to work there.”

Further, focus group participants noted that, even without evidence or cause for concern, people assume men are more likely to abuse children, and thus parents would be more cautious around male childcare workers than around female childcare workers. More men than women specifically mentioned child abuse, whereas women thought men in early education would be regarded as either suspicious, strange, or stereotyped as gay. Allison, 53, worried that societal stereotypes would make it difficult for a man to work in this role: “I think there would be some element of surprise at seeing a male child care worker. I believe this is more uncommon than a male nurse. Again, because of stereotypes, I believe people do not expect to see men in such nurturing roles. I can see this as being uncomfortable for a man. I think his abilities in this role would be questioned more.” Three men and two women admitted to personally harboring the suspicion that men are more likely to abuse children, and expressed a preference for female childcare workers. James, 48, lamented, “It’s sad to say that I prefer a female childcare provider over a male childcare provider because I feel (right or wrong) that child abuse is done more by males than females.”

However, four of the 13 men and four of the 15 women approved of a man in this role as long as he has the proper skills and traits. They argued that as long as he does his job well, there should be no resistance to him from parents or coworkers. “I do not think parents would have a problem with this as long as he is competent. I also think other staff members would be fine as long as he does his job well”, said Kari. Interestingly, while men and women spoke a language of gender neutrality regarding nursing, a few suggested that men could bring gender-specific assets to childcare work. For example, a man could serve as a father figure to fatherless children or “invoke his fatherly instincts in being a protector and provider to thrive in this environment” (Leonard, age 42, Project Manager). Corrine (age 60, Medical Claims) suggested that a man “would be a role model for the boys and sometimes children react differently to a man giving directions than to a female.” Thus, they felt men could bring a level of authority to this work that women may stereotypically lack.