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Maxim Institute
Real Issues - No. 82
September 25, 2003
The Peter Ellis syndrome
Men are not entering early childhood or primary
teaching as they used to. One researcher has called this the Peter Ellis
syndrome. It's hardly surprising in light of this case that fewer men are
applying for these positions, or that those working in these areas are
frustrated and fearful. Political correctness (PC) does that to people.
One teacher in his late 20s has said, "The Ministry [of Education] tells
you that you are never to be alone with a child, but sometimes the situation
you find yourself in dictates that there is no other option. Sometimes you
just have to ignore them. They [the rules] are just so PC, it's
ridiculous."
A report from the primary teachers' union, the NZEI, has found that more than
80 percent of teachers are women. Men make up only 18 percent of primary
teachers-a drop from 22 percent 10 years ago and the percentage will continue
to fall.
Given the cases of abuse that have come to light, it's understandable that
teacher unions and the Ministry of Education are handing out 'no touch'
warnings. Teachers abusing those in their care cannot be tolerated. But when
we confuse these cases with hugging a five year-old who has grazed her knee,
or whose pet has died, we've lost the plot. PC has increased our awareness,
but has taken away our ability to discriminate between helpful touch and
abusive touch, and created a climate of suspicion.
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