An online survey on childcare revealed that more than 90% respondents would employ a female nanny to care for their children. Only 54% respondents would employ a male nanny. Without delving deeply into the demographics of the quiz-takers, the results were nonetheless interesting. In addition, the questions asked were, perhaps, as telling as the responses.

The Intelligence on Male Nannies
The survey explores male versus female attitudes towards childcare and maternity leave. The reasons given for NOT employing a male nanny varied from “they’re too careless,” through “typically, males are emotionless,” to “sex offender sites…majority [of offenders] are men,” and “[men] could not multi-task.” Those that approved of male nannies cited that men are “calm under pressure,” along with “the ability to care is not dependent on gender,” and (loved this one) “the ones who choose to do it are very good at it, otherwise they would choose to do something else.”

The Intelligence on Female Nannies
The responses pertaining to female nannies praised women as patient with children, terrific, having a natural connection, being more maternal, having excellent intuition, etc. Even though there was a small percentage of respondents who stated they would not employ a female nanny, there were NO negative responses about female nannies.

Female Brain Bias in Setting the Survey
As I pondered the results of the survey I noticed a glaring omission in the questions. Clearly, the survey-setter was trying to set unbiased, balanced questions; with any choices relating to men countered by a the same choices relating to women. However, one question asked whether women should be entitled to maternity leave. Four percent of respondents believed that women should not have maternity leave, 28% believed it should be unpaid, and 74% believed it should be paid. Displaying classic stereotypical gender bias, the survey-setter did not even ask if men should be entitled to paternity leave. How would women react if they were ignored in this fashion? I, for one, would scoff and shake my head at the ineptitude and lack of logic.

The Truth is Out
Unfortunately, I must confess to my sins. I am embarrassed and contrite. The revised version of the survey, set by yours truly, now includes a question on paternity leave and is available for completion.

More on this topic when I have analysed the results further (hopefully with a COMPLETELY open mind).

Sources:
• Male versus Female Bias in the Childcare Debate, (Survey) SurveyMonkey.com

About the author
Katrina Boydon is a systemizing female with empathizing traits. She is as likely to be found crying over a sad film as balancing her bank account to the last cent.

A 30-year old man is hospitalized with a severe head injury and has to undergo psychological assessment. The psychologist shifts uncomfortably and says gravely, “I’m afraid we have no choice but to perform a brain transplant. We have a 20-year-old female brain at a cost of $2,000 or a 70-year-old male brain for $50,000. I’ll leave you to think about which you’d prefer.”

The man thinks smugly how the higher price must prove that even an old male brain is superior to a young female brain. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have $50,000 and he decides he’d better find out if the female brain has any redeeming features. He has his BlackBerry with him and starts researching on the Internet.

The Truth About the Male Brain Versus the Female Brain
He discovers that males have, on average, bigger brains, and that there are some traits that can be attributed more frequently to men and some to women. It seems that men may tend to be better map readers, although they hate to ask for directions; and women perhaps are better at reading body language, although they always fail to understand that men are not mind-readers. He knows the psychologist will be back soon and hurries to check if there is a published psychological assessment verifying male or female superiority. From Samson and Delilah to Brad and Angelina, he finds that although there are certainly differences between men and women, there is no definitive evidence to support superiority of gray matter in either gender.

The Psychologist Returns
The only logical conclusion the man can draw is that the male brain is superior, even though he found no evidence to support this. He makes his decision just as the psychologist returns. “I’ve decided,” he says, “$50,000 is a lot of money, but I must have the superior male brain.” The (female) psychologist smiles wryly. “Whatever gave you that idea?” she asks, “The reason the male brain is more expensive is because it has never been used.”

About the author
Katrina Boydon is a systemizing female with empathizing traits. She is as likely to be found crying over a sad film as balancing her bank account to the last cent.