Job Discussion Forums

[quai]

I wondered what the situation in Japan is in regards to male teachers and the teaching of younger students eg 5-16 year olds?

I guess one of the things that has delayed me from getting into teaching in Australia is the stigma attached to being a male teacher. With the outcry over paedophilia, inappropriate teacher student relationships etc and on the other side many unfounded cases against teachers which have wrecked those teachers lives - it seems that you are already on the back foot before you start.

It seems that in some cases, if you so much as "appear" to look the wrong way at a student - you are up on sexual harassment charges, or some of the cases where a student has been reprimanded by a teacher and then has retaliated with claims of sexual abuse.

I have been questioned wether I want to teach younger students - as much I think I would enjoy the experience, I have some reservations (as above). Obviously not all schools are like that in Australia, and no doubt it is also different in Japan, but I don't want to put myself in a situation where I could end up spending by time behind bars etc.

I wondered what people�s thoughts were on this.

[Glenski]

Never heard of a single problem of this nature in the 5 years that I've been here. Unless of course you want to talk about the reason NOVA has its non-fraternization clause.

[quai]

thanks for the reply. I didn't think it would be an issue - however i just wanted to see what the vibe was with it.

and no - certainly not talking about their non contact policy.

[homersimpson]

Although there has been a seeming increase (perhaps just an increase in the number of cases being reporte) in sexual misconduct toward children in Japan, I don't think it has reached the same level of hysteria as it has in the U.S. (and Australia, apparently). It has been my experience that Japanese are not inherently suspicious of male teachers (at least at the elementary and junior high school level). Common sense goes a long way on the teacher's part. However, it's important to note that ideas of physical contact are far different in Japan than in Western countries. In the U.S. especially, it seems all physical contact can potentially be deemed sexual. Again, just use judgment when interacting with kids. But I certainly would not expect a high frequency of false claims to be levied by Japanese students - particularly those below high school age.

[cafebleu]

I am a woman but I can tell you that one of the good things about Japan is that the stigmatization of males for being males and thus potential sexual predators (according to some hard line feminist logic which has leaked into western societies` daily life) does not go on here.

The problem side of this is that male teachers who may be perverts or whatever have better and more private access to students. From Asahi Shinbun I read that a Japanese male teacher somewhere attempted to rape a student who is either 9,10 or 11 - I can`t remember, so horrified was I by this. He took her into a room by herself when she complained of muscular pain. Unfortunately the so called lower incidence of child abuse in Japan probably really means the victims are far less likely to report it, and the lack of women`s equality here is really felt in the low incidence of reported rape, child abuse, etc.

However, decent male teachers will be able to feel comfortable in Japan. In fact legitimate touching is considered nice - the teacher hugging a kid, or giving a high five or putting an arm around the shoulder or whatever. I think it`s good for any teacher of any nationality to follow basic rules about touching kids or scolding kids or whatever. I always do it in full view of the class and I will NEVER take a kid by him/her self into a room away from other kids.

Remember - liars are found throughout the world and a Japanese kid may want to get at you by lying about what you did. Japan is better to teach in for male teachers who like to touch kids in the legitimate ways I mentioned. However, I would still be careful. I`m a woman and I never scold or do anything to a kid in private. I let everybody see what is going on. It`s the best way anywhere.