It is now possible to exchange thoughts and ideas about these topics using the Men in Child Care Committee Discussion Board, which is a moderated electronic bulletin board. Without your permission, I will only edit for clarity, as when it is obvious that a specific word has been inadvertantly omitted (which happens to me on occasion as well); otherwise, you are responsible for your own posting content and writing style.

I have installed this simple but free electronic bulletin board which can be accessed by selecting the link, but am still in the process of evaluating other choices, which range from free, but with banner ads like this one has, to fee-based, from $3.50-9.95/mo, with more expensive ones being more user-friendly. If you have any experience/preferences with this, please email your comments.

Click here to take survey on attitudes toward men in child care

Parent, child, co-worker, and supervisor attitudes toward men; how attitudes differ and what affects them.

How to recognize and challenge institutional bias toward men.
Paul Miller writes:
I . . .(am) interested in the institutional barriers to men in child care . . . I suspect it starts with the stereotypical role of men and women to care giving. It is reinforced along the way with suspicions by staff in programs, licensing, media, and families that men are in the field because of their sexual interest in children. Ironically, I see a lessening of parent concern, but many programs overtly discriminate, and licensing certainly reinforces the discrimination. Media basically covers the negative that licensing uncovers, either with or without legitimate basis, because it sells newspapers, TV ads, etc.

How to identify and discuss gender bias in the workplace.

Gary Cava writes: Recruitment of men in the field would be my first area of interest. Just how do we get men to accept positions working directly with young children? I realize increasing pay would help but that seems to be an issue that is slow in being resolved (for a variety of reasons).
Another discussion might be how men in the field see their role. What modifications do they make to their teaching style or interactions with children when they find themselves to be the only male working at a particular site?