Summaries of the interviews
SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEWS MADE IN FINLAND
We wanted to research whether male workers in social and health care field have faced any prejudices and what their own opinions and feelings about their career choices are. We interviewed some male students from social and health care field to get some first hand knowledge. Our three male student interviewees (Juha, Mika and Markus) were all from Savonia University of Applied Sciences, studying either nursing or social services. These interviews were made during the French’s visit in Finland.
None of our interviewees had faced any prejudice concerning their career choices. Juha hesitated, though, because he wondered whether he could be a good nurse or not.
The main reason why they chose this field was their interest in helping other people. Markus’s mother supported his son’s choise. He also has friends working in this field. Juha got fed up with restaurant business and decided to re-educate himself.
The men have experienced almost no difficulties, except that Juha has noticed that some female patients feel uncomfortable with male nurses. All three agreed that for a man it is easier to get a job. In social and health care field a male student doesn’t need to be afraid of unemployment.
The men assumed that so few men choose this career because it is considered suitable for women only. Juha added that at the age of choosing the career boys may be more immature and just go after their friends. We got the impression that this is what happened to himself.
To all these students it is very clear that there should be more males in their professions. A balance between males and females would be ideal. Juha pointed out that in nursing physical strength is needed. The population is getting older, which may cause lack of labour in the future so more people are needed anyway. In their opinion, social and health care field should be recommended to young boys who are about to make their career choice. They want to encourage boys to make their own decisions despite stereotypes.
In Finland we also interviewed men who already work in professions of social and health care field.
Päivi, Marleena and Paula
None of our interviewees had faced any prejudice concerning their career choices. Juha hesitated, though, because he wondered whether he could be a good nurse or not.
The main reason why they chose this field was their interest in helping other people. Markus’s mother supported his son’s choise. He also has friends working in this field. Juha got fed up with restaurant business and decided to re-educate himself.
The men have experienced almost no difficulties, except that Juha has noticed that some female patients feel uncomfortable with male nurses. All three agreed that for a man it is easier to get a job. In social and health care field a male student doesn’t need to be afraid of unemployment.
The men assumed that so few men choose this career because it is considered suitable for women only. Juha added that at the age of choosing the career boys may be more immature and just go after their friends. We got the impression that this is what happened to himself.
To all these students it is very clear that there should be more males in their professions. A balance between males and females would be ideal. Juha pointed out that in nursing physical strength is needed. The population is getting older, which may cause lack of labour in the future so more people are needed anyway. In their opinion, social and health care field should be recommended to young boys who are about to make their career choice. They want to encourage boys to make their own decisions despite stereotypes.
In Finland we also interviewed men who already work in professions of social and health care field.
Päivi, Marleena and Paula
SUMMARY OF THE INTERVIEWS MADE IN FRANCE
During this project we researched why there are more women than men in social and health care. We interviewed boys who have chosen this field or are going to choose it.
We made two interviews. In the first one we interviewed boys who were already in this field and in the second one we interviewed boys who were interested in this field. The interviewees were chosen by the teachers from France. These interviews were made in France.
We wanted to figure out the reasons why these interviewees wanted to study and work in social and health care. We asked for the main reasons that have made them to choose this field. Most of them had chosen the field because they wanted to work as a nurse or a child instructor. Also professional outlet and the competence of the teachers have had influence to the decisions. About half of the interviewees have hesitated a little to choose the field and half not. Teachers and family have recommended to choose this career.
All of the interviewees were satisfied with their decision. None of them have been discouraged. Half of the interviewees think that it’s logical that there are not so many male in this field because there are not much work opportunities. The rest think that it’s not logical because there should be more men to give more opinions and points of views. Every one of the interviewees would recommend this field for other men because there are so many girls working and studying in this field and equality is needed.
Linda, Kristiina and Reija
We made two interviews. In the first one we interviewed boys who were already in this field and in the second one we interviewed boys who were interested in this field. The interviewees were chosen by the teachers from France. These interviews were made in France.
We wanted to figure out the reasons why these interviewees wanted to study and work in social and health care. We asked for the main reasons that have made them to choose this field. Most of them had chosen the field because they wanted to work as a nurse or a child instructor. Also professional outlet and the competence of the teachers have had influence to the decisions. About half of the interviewees have hesitated a little to choose the field and half not. Teachers and family have recommended to choose this career.
All of the interviewees were satisfied with their decision. None of them have been discouraged. Half of the interviewees think that it’s logical that there are not so many male in this field because there are not much work opportunities. The rest think that it’s not logical because there should be more men to give more opinions and points of views. Every one of the interviewees would recommend this field for other men because there are so many girls working and studying in this field and equality is needed.
Linda, Kristiina and Reija