What's the haps Paps?

Men Changing Nappies

January 22nd, 2010 Filed under: Pre-School, Work | Tags: , , ,

Does this image disturb you? Why?

Nappies are just another part of the job description when working as an early childhood educator in New Zealand. Unless you happen to be a man that is. For some reason, being of the male persuasion leads to all sorts of awkward questions during interviews when it comes to the nappy changing policies. Are you comfortable changing nappies? What’s your stance on nappies? How do you feel about changing soiled children? Of course, these questions are usually followed up with some sort of polite statement roughly translated to “We know this is a non-issue now a days, but we feel like we have to ask”.

You’re right, in this day and age it is a non-issue, but you asking is making it an issue, isn’t it? For me personally, I have no problem doing nappies and believe that it comes with the job. I would be happy if I was just expected to do it and no one batted an eye or suggested otherwise. I mean, it seems to me that the only way it’s going to really become a non-issue is if that’s how we treat it.

But instead, I feel pressured into giving the centre permission to ask the parents if it’s alright with them if all staff (including the new guy we just hired) changes nappies, soiled clothes etc. It seems like the easy way out. The company gets to cover itself.

I wonder if there will ever be a time when I start at a new centre and this isn’t brought up. Or a time when if a parent does have a problem with me changing their child’s nappies, management will tell them that I’m an employee like any other and to get over it rather than awkwardly asking me to not to change little Susie’s nappies anymore.

Show Comments (1)
  1. 1 Tom O'Carroll said at 6:53 pm on May 26th, 2010:

    I am about to write a presentation about warm physical contact and hugs with infants and toddlers from a male perspective. I discovered this blog by searching for an image that may or may not disturb a proportion of our society, that is a man caring for a baby.
    You are correct, nappy changing is just another part of the job that males are very capable of doing (smells and all). I believe that the person who should judge whether you cut the mustard with nappy changing is the young child who is very comfortable with the scenario. I have had professional experience with nappy changing, but for the reasons that have been mentioned, I intend to work with kindergarten aged children. I appreciate the honest and reflective blog post.

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