Well, I think male au pairs may be on the rise in the USA very soon! The Au Pair of the Year Award for 2009 went to a Brazilian young man, Ricardo, who takes care of a special needs teen. Visit our website, http://www.aupairclearinghouse.com/ to read his story and view his video. The runner up was also a male au pair!
This kind of publicity may turn America families on to the idea of hosting a male au pair for their families. Americans typically do not hire males to care for their children - hosting a male au pair is much more common in Europe than it is here in the States.
Why? Probably because we are wary of sexual predators - pedophiles that pose as people interested in children for all the wrong reasons!
However, male au pairs are on the rise in Europe and have been used for many years with no or little trouble and families often report happy, secure and outgoing guys who sign up to become an au pair.
Male au pairs are characterized as having better driving skills and are stronger, lifting children all day will not tire out a male au pair in the same way as female au pairs often complain about.
Parents also report they look for male au pairs when they have multiple boys in the family - where a "big" brother is needed, particulary in the area of sports. Soccer, baseball, rugby, football, hockey, etc., are all active sports that male au pairs are often good and and are willing to play with the children they care for.
Maybe we will see a rise in the hiring of male au pairs here in the States, or maybe not. The worry American families have around sexual abuse is high and they might pass on this option when they start to look at agencies.
Has anyone had a great experience with a male au pair in the States?
We would love to hear from you and if you would recommend a male au pair.
