Guidelines for increasing men's participation in early childhood education and care

What is it about?

This study highlights the underrepresentation of men in early childhood education and care (ECEC). It outlines strategies to increase men's participation by professionalising the field, engaging key stakeholders and promoting diversity to challenge gender stereotypes.

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Photo by Zach Callahan on Unsplash

Photo by Zach Callahan on Unsplash

Why is it important?

Men are widely underrepresented in early childhood education and care, a trend that perpetuates gender stereotypes and limits gender equality efforts. This review identifies key areas for systematic change to increase men’s representation in early childhood education and care, such as acknowledging the systematic nature of occupational gender segregation, reshaping gendered expectations and roles of men, reducing men’s perceived incongruity with early childhood education and care, fostering caring masculinities in childhood, and engaging organizational gatekeepers.