Parents' views on male ECEC workers: a cross-country comparison

A better gender balance is seen as an important factor for the future development of the ECEC work force. But are parents willing to accept men as teachers and carers for their children? What do parents expect from male ECEC professionals, and do attitudes of parents differ in relation to cultural backgrounds? This cross-cultural study analyses parents' views from Austria and Turkey, two countries with significant differences in cultural backgrounds and male participation in ECEC. According to the results of the quantitative study presented here, parents in Austria and Turkey are generally positive towards male ECEC workers. Nevertheless, results show significant differences between the countries which are connected to cultural traditions regarding the role of men and women in family and society. Turkish parents were more sceptical and felt less comfortable with male workers, whereas Austrian parents generally supported the aim of more men in ECEC. The authors conclude that a better gender balance in ECEC cannot be realized without taking into account, and sometimes confronting, parents' gendered views.