Hey NZ ... 1957 called and it wants its homophobia back

'Real men' sought for teaching positions

Male primary school teachers who are heterosexual, rugby-playing real men make better role models, according to a survey of primary school principals.

One respondent referred to the "limp" handshakes of two male teachers being interviewed for a job.

They were passed over for strong female teachers, the New Zealand Herald reported today.

The findings, published in the Gender and Education journal, came amid repeated calls to raise the proportion of male primary school teachers, which fell from 42 percent in 1956 to just 18 percent in 2005.

Study author Penni Cushman, a University of Canterbury principal lecturer in health education, said the research showed the extent of homophobia and sexism that put men off careers as primary school teachers.

She said a history of sexual abuse accusations against male teachers was also a factor.

Ms Cushman believed attitudes had to change before the number of male primary school teachers would increase. "We need to be more accepting of a greater range of males in schools -- just like we are accepting of a greater range of females in the schools.

"Not all boys or girls are going to relate to a man who's a rugby player, because not all boys play rugby."

The survey was sent to 250 randomly selected primary principals nationally, of which 169 responded.

The majority said more male role models were needed with the main reason to meet the needs of single-parent children.

Sports leadership was the second most cited reason why more male role models were needed in schools.

Principals Federation president Paddy Ford agreed that more male role models were needed in schools but not that they had to be heterosexual.

"I find that strange. They need to be honest and fair. It doesn't worry me if they play rugby or not. I've been quite lucky with my own staff.

"We have several male teachers. There's an ex-Olympian, a rugby player and a ponytail-wearing fella from Britain. It doesn't make a difference."

I read this and I just really didn't know what to think. I guess in a country with some of the higest rates in the OECD of family violence, drunk driving, sexual abuse and assault, and violent crime, something needs to be done to make sure NZ's status as a world leader doesn't slip.

On another note entirely, I guess there was some sort of football contest yesterday. Not really sure how it all turned out ... /denial

Update: Check out the comments on the article--they're priceless!