This study aims to explore how gender-role stereotypes impact childcare caregivers’ perceived competence and willingness to remain in caregiving roles.
Utilizing a qualitative research design, data were collected through focus group interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis.
A purposive sampling strategy was employed, and nine male childcare caregivers were invited to participate in three semi-structured focus group sessions.
After evaluating data quality, complete interview data from six participants were included in the final analysis.
Findings revealed three key themes.
First, male childcare caregivers’ prior experiences and personal backgrounds not only shaped their motivation to enter the childcare profession but also influenced the challenges and role expectations they encountered.
Second, gender-role stereotypes deeply affected task assignments within childcare settings.
Both the general public and primary caregivers tended to position women as the natural caregivers, perceiving feminine traits as more congruent with nurturing responsibilities, which relegated male caregivers to supportive roles.
Finally, internalized gender-role stereotypes significantly shaped male childcare caregivers’ professional identity, caregiving roles, and perceived efficacy, ultimately influencing their occupational competence and long-term retention intention.
These findings offer a novel perspective on the intersection of gender and caregiving professions and can inform future childcare policy development and in-service training design.
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