Your opinion on male baby sitters?

[Trill Co$by]

So today, I was at the park with a female friend of mine and my son, who I rarely get to see, and I was playing with my son on the swings when I guess my friend was talking to one of the other kid's mom or something, and the topic between them came up where she needed someone to watch her kids during the day. Somehow, my friend said that I'd be able to watch the kids and called me over to talk to the lady about it.

Of course, I told her I have my own son and that I'm very safe with kids, in fact I watched my little brothers and little sister all the time growing up. The mother of the kids, understandably, declined the offer because she wasn't too safe about male baby sitters, and that's where my friend started going off on an equal rights speech that she usually does...

Now personally, I'm not going to be hurt or anything by people who say no to male babysitters because a part of me would feel the same if some dude offered to babysit my kid. But what I want to know is, would you personally have a problem with male babysitters? Why or why not?

Preferably, I'd rather hear from the other parents on the forums, but general opinions are welcome too of course.

 

[H33LTurn]

I dont see what gender has to do with it. You should pick a babysitter on personality, character, and dedication as opposed to gender. Most people are mislead with the idea that a woman is going to have more of an inclination to take better care of the child since shes supposed to have a mother's instinct running through her veins but how many times have we seen in the news that women have done horrendous things to the children that they're taking care of? Others think that it is more likely for a male to sexually abuse the child and thats understandable since you dont see too may female rapists on the news (unless the "victim" is above the age of 14). Either way gender isnt a sure fire way to know if someone would take good care of your kid. If I had a child I would try my best not to leave them with a stranger, period.

 

[Dagger Dias]

People will seem skeptical merely because it is different from what they are used to and many fear any kind of change. The norm is for women to watch the kids that need to be sat. If a man has earned your trust then I do not see why not. Kids are entrusted into the care of strangers all the time, why should the gender of the sitter have to matter? A woman is just as likely to treat the kids wrong as a man yet people seem to trust them more out of a fear of change. That is all it is.

 

[Mustang Sally]

A woman is just as likely to treat the kids wrong as a man yet people seem to trust them more out of a fear of change. That is all it is.

Very true. People have their preconceived notions, and no matter how much of an individualist we may think we are, we're loathe to let go of the old ideas, no matter how ridiculous they may seem when you truly think about them.

So, yeah......female or male babysitter? Makes no difference. The level of responsibility and reliability in a person isn't exclusive to either gender.

What I'm waiting for is someone to enter this thread, claiming it's bad to hire a male to babysit your kids. Can't wait to read the logic in that one.

 

[Nate DaMac]

Of course, I told her I have my own son and that I'm very safe with kids, in fact I watched my little brothers and little sister all the time growing up. The mother of the kids, understandably, declined the offer because she wasn't too safe about male baby sitters, and that's where my friend started going off on an equal rights speech that she usually does...

I don't get it, shouldn't her reasoning for not having you babysit be that she doesn't know you? I have dudes that I ask to babysit sometimes, but they're all family or really good friends. My criteria for babysitters has nothing to do with the gender of the person, but rather how well I can trust them. I wouldn't let someone I didn't know babysit my kids regardless of their gender.

 

[LilacFray]

You all said it.

Gender doesn't matter as long as they're trustworthy to be taking care of your child.

And yes, both men and women could do similar wrongs.

It just depends on the personality of the baby sitter and if they could be trusted.

Not gender.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I think it all comes down to trust. When I have kids I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving them with anyone I didn't know, and would never hire a babysitter from the newspaper or anything like that.

I would choose someone that I trusted, be it one of the mothers friends, my friends or a couple we both knew well. Often if you leave your child with a female, there is the husband/partner there too, so the argument is invalid.

You just have to make a judgement on whether you can trust the person, regardless of gender. You can never be 100% certain but once you know a person well, its highly likely that you are able to judge whether they are suitable to look after your child for an evening.

I can understand the "no" to males though, as the number of rape cases for males and young children is alot higher, but the potential for that to happen can occur anywhere, so you really just need to trust the babysitter, which is why close friends are always the best option, regardless of gender.