Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the professional identity of men in kindergarten. The study examines the reason that men choose to work at kindergartens; what they think about the function of kindergartens in society and how they see themselves as men in a profession traditionally viewed as a feminine profession.
Result
The number of male employees in forest and nature kindergartens is larger than the number of male employees in ordinary kindergartens, and the study shows that men in nature kindergartens have chosen the profession as child and youth educators more consciously. Men consider early childhood education and care as a traditional female environment of low status with a low-paid workforce.
Design
The quantitative part of the study includes 79 men employed in forest and nature kindergartens, and 42 men working in ordinary kindergartens. Moreover, qualitative studies were made which include interviews with ten men working in forest and nature kindergartens.
References
Emilsen, K.; Lysklett, O. B. (2007). Menns yrkesidentitet i natur- og friluftbarnehager. I: Guldal, T. M., Karlsen, G., Løkken, G., Rønning, F. og Steen-Olsen, T. (red). Fou i praksis 2006 (S. 61-70). Trondheim: Tapir Akademisk Forlag
Financed by
Not disclosed