Millennium man: constructing identities of male teachers in early years contexts

Abstract

This article presents research undertaken with female teachers which explores their perceptions and experiences of male teachers in early years contexts. It considers male trainee teachers experiences, examining prevalent, contrary discourses and their impact on the construction of male teachers' identities. The article notes that public discourses, together with women's own discourses in relation to male teachers reveal contradictions and ambiguities. Male teachers are conscious that many conflicting identities are constructed for them, including the notion of the ‘right kind’ of man constructed for them by female teachers. This concept of a ‘millennium man’ may be difficult for men to achieve, but for those who ‘read’ the system, the pay‐offs are great. UK statistics reveal that there are 26,200 male primary teachers and 141,000 females (Department for Education and Skills website, 2005) yet the numbers of male headteachers are vastly disproportionate. The article concludes that men may invest in positions which will bring eventual gain.