How do male primary teachers cope with the fear and uncertainty they experience in relation to physical contact?

Cruickshank, Vaughan and Kerby, Martin ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4073-2559 and Baguley, Margaret ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0098-6378 (2021) How do male primary teachers cope with the fear and uncertainty they experience in relation to physical contact? Education 3-13. pp. 1-14. ISSN 0300-4279

Abstract

Young children often look to their teachers for affection and acceptance, particularly if they are injured or upset. Yet, many male primary teachers experience substantial fear and uncertainty about making physical contact with their students. This study used 53 open ended survey responses and semi-structured interviews with five experienced male primary teachers in Tasmania, Australia to investigate the coping strategies and supports these men use to deal with this challenge. Findings revealed a variety of coping strategies and supports, and that the fear and uncertainty surrounding physical contact and false accusations needs to be reduced if more male primary teachers are to feel confident interacting with their students in the same ways their female colleagues do.

Statistics for this ePrint Item

Item Type:	Article (Commonwealth Reporting Category C)
Refereed:	Yes
Item Status:	Live Archive
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Current - Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts - School of Education (1 Jul 2019 -)
Faculty/School / Institute/Centre:	Current - Faculty of Business, Education, Law and Arts - School of Education (1 Jul 2019 -)
Date Deposited:	21 May 2021 04:41
Last Modified:	24 May 2021 02:33
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Fears, gendered double standards, male primary teachers, physical contact, primary education, stereotypes, students, fears, strategies, support
Fields of Research (2008):	13 Education > 1303 Specialist Studies in Education > 130313 Teacher Education and Professional Development of Educators
Fields of Research (2020):	39 EDUCATION > 3904 Specialist studies in education > 390412 Teacher and student wellbeing
Socio-Economic Objectives (2008):	C Society > 93 Education and Training > 9304 School/Institution > 930401 Management and Leadership of Schools/Institutions
Socio-Economic Objectives (2020):	16 EDUCATION AND TRAINING > 1602 Schools and learning environments > 160205 Policies and development
Identification Number or DOI:	https://doi.org/10.1080/03004279.2021.1929378
URI:	http://eprints.usq.edu.au/id/eprint/42006

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