ABSTRACT
This chapter considers the impact of the lack of male practitioners. It explores suggestions that male practitioners offer specific opportunities for children such as physical play, risky play and use of the outdoor environment, examining both research literature as evidence and ideas around the myths that may have evolved about male practitioners. It questions why some consider that female practitioners are not able to offer a similar pedagogy and what the notion of ‘gender-flexible’ practitioners means in this context. At the same time, the chapter highlights messages that may be communicated to children about appropriate cultural norms by this lack of male practitioners.
