The call for more males to work with children in their formative years remains prevalent in education discourse across the globe. Assertions that these men will positively address boys' poor behaviour and underachievement, as well as serving as father figures and role models for boys, continue to fuel international policy making and shape media…

This study explored male teachers' perceptions of their roles in early childhood education and their beliefs about their own professional development in shaping their careers. Although the participants' experiences are strongly influenced by strict gender roles in China, they appear to be consistent with the experiences of men across the globe.…