Pros and Cons of Hiring a Male Nanny

There has often been a stigma placed on the idea of hiring a male nanny. Females are seen as the more sensitive and kind-hearted of the genders, which is not always the case, but there are several pros and cons of hiring a male nanny. Finding the perfect childcare provider for your children should be foremost on your list, so why nix half of the population as potential nannies?

While you might be in favor of hiring a male nanny, there are quite a few less males than there are females who pursue a career in child care. This isn't necessarily a con, but it certainly does make your job harder if you have your heart set on a male nanny rather than a female. According to Morningside Nannies, a nanny agency in Houston, Texas, 90% of available nannies are female in the United States. Of the 10% of nannies that are male, not all of them are qualified or appropriate for your family, which makes the job even more difficult.

Another negative aspect of hiring a male nanny is that men can be more intimidating than women. If all of your children are girls, they might not be comfortable with being watched by a male nanny, which is something that you should take into consideration. On the other hand, men are known as protectors, and it might make you feel better to know that a man is guarding your home and your children. Kids are arguably more safe with an adult male in the house than a teenage or adult female.

Much of the controversy surrounding male nannies is based largely on stereotypes. Those in favor of male nannies will say that men are stronger, faster and more willing to play rough with boys and girls, while those opposed will say that men are not sensitive or intuitive enough to provide adequate child care. I would venture to say that these conundrums come down to the individual; one of my daughters is a complete tomboy who doesn't might getting dirty with the boys and my son is overly sensitive and has a natural affinity for animals.