Experiences of Ghanaian Male Early Childhood Educators: The Case of Effutu, Sagnarigu, and Adjumako Municipalities

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science
© 2020 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal
Volume 7 Issue 4
Year of Publication : 2020
Authors : Laryea, Prince Aduna, Issah Owusu, Nana Addai Juliana Anokye
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Laryea, Prince Aduna, Issah Owusu, Nana Addai Juliana Anokye, "Experiences of Ghanaian Male Early Childhood Educators: The Case of Effutu, Sagnarigu, and Adjumako Municipalities," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 7,  no. 4, pp. 44-49, 2020. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V7I4P108

Abstract:

Ghanaian women have traditionally assumed more responsibility in childcare, whiles men have preferred technical jobs. Thus, not many men work in childcare settings though researches indicate that the involvement of male educators in early childhood education is beneficial. Yet they covered a little
percentage of the total population of educators. Relatively, minimal research has been conducted on the experiences of Ghanaian male educators on their teaching experience in early childhood education. The purpose of this hermeneutic phenomenological study was to describe the lived experiences of Ghanaian males working in childcare settings in the Effutu, Sagnarigu and Ajumako municipalities. Using purposive sampling, five (5) male ECE educators participated in the study who met the criteria of having at least three-year teaching experience in Early Childhood Education and able to describe and narrate their experience as ECE educators. All data were collected through in-depth interviews. Data analysis suggested five (5) main themes including the burning passion, the exhausting beginning, a challenging profession, a fulfilling profession, and the questioning society. This study revealed that participants viewed their experience as both challenging and fulfilling, questioned by society but fuelled by the passion to teach children.

Keywords:

Male Educators, Early Childhood Education, Lived Experience

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