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The Christchurch Civic
Creche Case |
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Duncan Fisher is one of an
endangered species. He has worked in early childhood
education for the last 16 years and is one of only about 130 men working in
the profession across New Zealand. Fisher loves his job at a central
Christchurch kindergarten but acknowledges his choice of career has brought
problems in the past. "The centre I am at now is
great and the team there is really supportive but that has not always been
the case," he said. "My first job was just after
the Peter Ellis thing and when they heard I was coming, one parent took their
child out of the centre I was due to work at. They only agreed to come back
after I had been interviewed about my background and so on. "Until about four years ago
we were still hearing of things happening to male teachers." Interaction with young children
could also be difficult. "I won't let children sit on
my lap, only on the edge of my knees, and if a child is hurt I won't draw
them close into my body for a hug," Fisher said. "It is not a conscious thing
everyday but it is in the back of your mind. But female teachers should be
thinking about these things too." While the potential to be accused
of child abuse was an issue, the image of being in early childhood teaching
also caused problems for Fisher and his male colleagues. "I have had parents who
assumed I must be gay. People question whether you can be a real man and do
this job," he said. More positive stories were needed.
"I really enjoy my job. It
sounds like a cliche but it is a privilege to see the excitement in the
children's faces," he said. "But I question why the media
only pick up on the negative -- where are the stories about the positive
impact of men in early childhood? "We need positive stories to
help encourage more men." -------------------- CAPTION: Early problems: Duncan Fisher
loves his job. Photo: John Kirk-Anderson |
