In the early childhood field there are many examples of microaggression, but when I was thinking about one example this week the one that stood out to me was a case in which a male teacher was complimented. I remember the compliment being said as “Oh Mr.____________is such a wonderful teacher to be a man. So this means that man cannot be as good teachers as woman. I think this is a case of gender microaggression. We all know we need more male teachers in the field, but if we think that they cannot be as good as female teachers we will always have problems recruiting man in the early childhood field.
After learning this week about microagression, I think there are more unconsciously racism and prejudices that people are aware of. Now that I am aware of this I will be more careful in the way I communicate to other people.
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Great example of gender microaggression. It comes in all forms and is meant as a compliment bu it actually a subtle insult.Now isn't that a catch 22.
ReplyDeleteYou gave an excellent example of micro aggression because of the teacher’s gender. This implied that he wasn’t as good as a female and we know this to be untrue. We need to encourage more men in the early childhood field-not shun them away. Sometimes (most of the time) we just need to stop and think before we act or say something.
ReplyDeleteHi Marta,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your post. It's interesting you bring this up. I have had the discussion many times with colleagues about how it would be nice to have more male teachers in elementary and early childhood. We had a sub in my last school that we really loved, Mr. Thomas. He was always booked up and you had to get him early because he was so good with the kids. However, I recenlty heard some women discussing that men who like to hang out with young children make them nervous. These were women who had been abused as children, so their prejudcies and biases may be stronger than others, but I was surprised to hear them say that thought it was a red flag if a male wanted to babysit, or to spend time with young chidren. I understand where their fear came from. I don't think I agree, but maybe that has something to do with the fact that there are so few men in early childhood education.