In a country where education sectors are crying out for more male staff due to the proven correlation of positive male influences and success, particularly in boys, how unhelpful is it for an MP in a position of authority to make a sweeping claim about paedophilia?

The answer to that is that it can’t be measured. The attitude and whispers against males who express an interest in working as nannies or as nursery assistants is precisely what puts so many people off following a career that could see them enhancing the lives of children.

For Andrea Leadsom, a prominent figure in politics, to associate male carers as a whole with paedophilia and imply they are potential child abusers is not only deeply offensive and seriously misguided – but also dangerous.

Leadsom’s comments have caused controversy (Picture: PA Wire)

Leadsom said in an interview with The Times: ‘As an employer we’re not, let’s face it, most of us don’t employ men as nannies, most of us don’t. Now you can call that sexist, I call that cautious and very sensible when you look at the stats. Your odds are stacked against you if you employ a man.




‘We know paedophiles are attracted to working with children.’

The last line in particular isn’t just taking a swipe at male nannies. It’s casting a paranoid shadow of doubt over male teachers, teaching assistants, lollipop men, lifeguards, paediatricians, GPs, nursing assistants, scout leaders and all manners of jobs which the vast majority of men and women make a real success of.

Males who work with children slam Leadsom's comments After speaking to male staff who work with children and reading the comments section from our original article posted on social media, we have summarised some of the responses: ‘I find that incredibly offensive, I’m a male carer, and look after children, they thrive with a positive male role model.’ ‘I wanted to become a nursery teacher or help out in a nursery but feel I would have eyes on me at all times because of people like her judging us men so unfortunately I’m not going to go for it.’ ‘I worked with kids aged from 7-14 and always been down to earth with them, taught them respect for each other, listened to problems they have and hopefully helped them develop into decent members of society.’ ‘I’ve got a bunch of cards with embarrassingly complimentary comments from parents and children from when I left a school I worked at. All of the kids I taught were vulnerable in one way or another.’ From a man who was brought up in care: ‘I grew up in care between the ages of 10 and 17. When I went through puberty, I had a few male carers who I could talk to regarding changes that happen. They were like a father figure to me; a role which my own father didn’t fill.’ And from someone who hires male staff: ‘As a nursery manager, I’ve appointed 3 male childcare workers who have been wonderful with the children and the parents loved it as it wasn’t just a female environment. There’s just as much chance that a woman could be one. Hence we we do background checks.’

Yes, paedophiles exist and yes, there are examples of men exploiting their position of care and that’s why thorough safeguarding is important. But saying that we shouldn’t hire a man to care for children just in case he is a paedophile is like saying we shouldn’t have a dog in case it bites us or we shouldn’t have chicken for tea in case we get food poisoning.

Studies prove that children benefit from a male influence (Picture [posed by models]: Getty) We can’t merely dismiss this as ignorance. For this to be said in a high profile interview means that is very much out there and inevitably gathering significant attention. And a great deal of professional men who enter the job for no other reason than it is their calling to care for children will be sitting aghast and hurt and experiencing that unacceptable target on the back.

Demonising men for the deplorable actions of a few is deeply unsettling and it will only make the lack of male role models available for our children increase. With comments like this, it is unavoidable that any man wanting to teach our children, care for them, heal them or whatever will have that concern in the back of their head: ‘what if people think I am a paedophile?’

Using Leadsom’s logic, we should also ban female carers as there have been cases of abuse there too. And we should never let fathers look after their own children – you know, just in case? It’s a simply ridiculous notion and, if it wasn’t so potentially hazardous, it should be scoffed at.

There are thousands upon thousands of men working hard not just despite budget cuts, long hours and deeply hard work – but also despite vile claims about what their nature may be – to do our children proud.

A survey by the Pre-School Learning Alliance suggested that 97.9% of parents were happy for men to work with young people and that, at least, is a refreshing statistic. But what a shame that someone of such prominence and with authority in this country would promote the ignorance of the clear minority who believe otherwise.



Hats off to every man out there doing an amazing job in roles supporting children – what a difficult job you have, precisely because of this.