Social professions tend to attract a majority of women. “Social Boys” aims to give teenage boys an insight into that sector for a better gender balance.  Photo: Shutterstock

Social professions tend to attract a majority of women. “Social Boys” aims to give teenage boys an insight into that sector for a better gender balance.  Photo: Shutterstock

Out of all educators active in Luxembourg, only 15% are men. A discrepancy that appears in social-related jobs in general. “Social Boys”, the new initiative by the ministry of equality between women and men, wants to address it.

“The ‘Social Boys’ project tries to break down gender stereotypes related to professions, by giving male teenagers the opportunity to have first experiences in a profession that is considered feminised. I am sure that their participation also increases their social engagement,” says minister Taina Bofferding (LSAP) in an official press release, as she hopes to demonstrate that no profession is inherently gendered.

“We see that gender stereotypes continue to influence the choice of education and professions by our young people. The social and health professions are a clear example of this, as they are predominantly practised by women,” added Bofferding.

Working with infoMann – a ministry-led organisation for the psychological and emotional support of men -, the LTPES rechnical school for educational and social professions, and the DLG, an umbrella organisation for youth structures, the ministry targets mainly teenage boys. The initiative offers participants an insight in the life of social workers in structures such as nurseries and maisons relais through a mentorship.

The cooperation between infoMann and the ministry was signed on 26 November.

The “Social Boys” action is a follow-up project following the MADAK programme which served to identify the reasons for gender imbalance in this employment sector, and in particular in the educator position.