Abstract
The main focus areas of this research are pointing out the public perceptions and beliefs about male preschool teachers, fear of child sexual molestation, moral panic, and power relations in the society. The sample of the study composed of one white, female preschool teacher with a single interview transcript, working in the city of Tempe, Arizona. Qualitative method was used for the research. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the teacher which involved six main questions about the male teacher involvement in early childhood education and related issues. The data was analyzed via discourse analysis method. Both proper and figurative meanings of the words, mimics, unsaid, attitudes, and acts in the interview were carefully considered; critiques and interpretations were made in terms of fear of child sexual abuse, men preschool teachers, moral panic, and power relations. Some literary tools, theoretical perspectives, and techniques from important theorists were barrowed in order to provide better insight. The results revealed that there has still been some doubts exist related to the male preschool teachers in the society and presence of more men in this period may provide better conditions for this occupation. Key words: Male preschool teachers, child sexual abuse, moral panic, discourse analysis.
Highlights
Teachers have great importance in children‟s education and lives
The main focus areas of this research are pointing out the public perceptions and beliefs about male preschool teachers, fear of child sexual molestation, moral panic, and power relations in the society
The results revealed that there has still been some doubts exist related to the male preschool teachers in the society and presence of more men in this period may provide better conditions for this occupation
Summary
Teachers have great importance in children‟s education and lives. Since children develop fast physically, mentally, socially, and emotionally in early years of life, having a good teacher is becoming a lot more important in early childhood education and years. In preschool children‟s point of view, preschool teachers are individuals who teach, train, educate, love and show friendship to their children and they work hard in order to fulfill the needs of their students (Oktay, 2000). Despite the fact that teachers play such a crucial role in the education of young children, there are very few males in the profession. Having male teachers in early childhood education area has been a very underestimated and under-researched issue for years all around the world. Statistics show that there are very few male educators work with young children in early childhood settings (Cunningham and Watson, 2002).
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