Men in Minority in Social Care Jobs

Social care jobs happen to be in the hands of women predominantly; however men have always been present in this field of work. Most of them happen to be employed as managers or in certain control element. But how did it go out of hand, and where are the men anyway?

The problem stares right on the face of men as more traditional areas of work which includes health and social care sees a decline in the involvement of men.

Reason behind Men being in Minority

The reasons for this decline in the field have not been thoroughly investigated even though it can be guessed that social stigma surrounding men in social work could play a role. Moreover, economic factor cannot be rules out here. The question may also pose as a gender issue, the idea of men having to ‘care’ for others stinks, so much so that any proverbial patriarchal nose could grow red with shame. Women are the ones who have traditionally been caring ever since Florence Nightingale first walked the earth with arms akimbo in a motherly gesture. Men therefore, continually deny themselves the opportunity to succeed in the social care sector. However, brushing these complexities aside, if men can happen to realize the potential of this growing field then it would only be their benefit.

What do the Stats say?

Speaking of the United States in the early eighties, the statistics was different, men constituted 36% of the social work force and 30% of the American Counseling Association’s membership. Moreover, in the early 1970s men earned 50% of all master’s degree in psychology, and now that stands at 20% only. Today men account for less that 10% of social workers under the age of 34, thus meaning that the numbers could fall even further in the coming decades. Then again, the low pay at social works could be a reason for this decline, but then again why do women opt for it when they too share the same urge to make more money?

The low participation of men in the field of social work could have only one meaning, which is that social care jobs stand as jobs fit for women. Statistics according to the National Association of Social Workers say that only 10% of current male social workers considered entering the profession before college. Majority of the men do not even consider social care jobs as an option for a living, they have high and mighty aspirations, those that are fit for ‘men’. It would be only very interesting to conduct a survey to find out from men themselves the reason for their aloofness from the field of social care. Unfortunately, this hasn’t happened yet.

As long as we decide to think all men as Supermen who cannot be in the field of social care there isn’t going to be much change. It is best for men to brush aside their complexities and understand the full potential of this filed that they choose to avoid so dearly. With the growing rate of unemployment, there is no time or reason to be picky.