We need more male social workers

MORE MALE WORKERS IN SOCIAL CARE WILL ENSURE WE’RE NOT REPLICATING TOXIC MASCULINITY TO YOUNG PEOPLE

Starting out in the social care sector was an unnerving time for me.

rI remember sitting in the waiting oom at my first interview, and a woman in the office saying they were “pleased to see a man apply.” Another woman actually went as far as to say that I would get the job because I was a man, and sure enough, I did.

I HAD ALWAYS ENJOYED WORKING WITH PEOPLE IN THE COMMUNITY BUT, AFTER LEAVING COLLEGE, I DIDN’T REALLY FEEL I HAD ACCESS TO SOCIAL WORK AS A CAREER.

I ended up doing what was seen as ‘the done thing’ for my gender at the time, and worked as a labourer on a building site. I battled these stereotypes, with friends referring to my social care interests as ‘women’s work,’ for a long time before eventually taking the plunge, and applying to work in support of children and young people.

I am pleased to say that in the 20 years since, I have seen glimpses of improvement in the social care sector, with a steady increase in males joining the industry.

Of course, I wouldn’t be here today without the support and guidance of some very influential women, but I do wonder what impact a larger presence of men would have on kids in care, and on the industry as a whole. For many of the kids I speak to, a positive male role model is something that they are desperately seeking and have been hugely lacking for much of their lives.

I would like to see the negative connotations of a lack of male presence removed, and more work done to get more men into social care.

The presence of male support workers in the homes I run is incredibly beneficial for both the girls and boys who come to live there. Sadly, the stats for girls who suffer domestic abuse and trauma at the hands of men is very high. This is why I believe it is imperative for young women to see how a positive male role model can form part of a safe place, and support them as they begin to make positive connections with men in the future.

I ALSO BELIEVE THERE IS MUCH TO GAIN FROM YOUNG MALES IN CARE WITNESSING THE IMPACT OF TRUSTWORTHY MALE ROLE MODELS.

There are many common themes that rear their heads in conversations with teenage boys who are in care, and it is usually to do with the relationships they have or would like to have, but because they have had to fight for everything in their lives, or have been exposed to people using intimidation or violence to get what they want, it can sometimes lead to them mirroring this behaviour with fighting and posturing.

A POSITIVE MALE ROLE MODEL CAN HELP THESE BOYS TO SEE THERE ARE BETTER WAYS TO SOLVE PROBLEMS WITHOUT RESORTING TO INTIMIDATION OR VIOLENCE.

Throughout my career I have learnt that every interaction with a young person can be used as a learning opportunity. I feel more opportunities need to be available for careers in care, and more education on how men can enter this fulfilling and deserving sector.

Peer-led and experienced conversations are required for those men, like me, who will experience the challenges of being one of the few males wanting to work in an environment that has traditionally been seen as female-facing.

As someone who communicates my support for others, and demonstrates daily the benefits of leaving behind those toxic masculinity traits, I still get the odd funny look from boys in care, but I remain determined to demonstrate that supporting others is as much a bloke’s thing as it is a women’s thing.

I hope that my actions give one of the boys who witness it the permission, or incentive, to care too.

By Jay Carroll