Male teachers, early childhood education professionals. Impact on the pedagogical team and families

This study wants to show the importance of the male teacher's presence in Early Childhood Education to educational communities and society in general. This research was carried out in schools of Catalonia (Spain). For this descriptive study, a questionnaire (ad-hoc) was administered to Early Childhood Education male teachers and educators (0-3 and 3-6-year-olds) and their families, and also to the female teachers and/or educators from the same teaching staff. The questionnaire explored aspects related to the professionals' performance, the male teachers' relationship with their pupils and families as well as with their female colleagues. Results show that, thanks to their fluent daily relationships, gender prejudice was overcome to a great extent, basically due to the educators' day-to-day-based knowledge, professionalism and human quality. We can state that the presence of male educators is positively valued by their female peers, families and children, and calls for some reflection about gender equity.