Gender and Age of Zoochatters

Gender and Age

  • Total voters
    344
  • Poll closed .
tetrapod said:
There has been a definite trend in a changing sex ratio of keepers particularly noticable during the 90s in most Western zoos. When I started during the early 90s there were about 4 female keepers out of 40. When I left that particular zoo there were about half female. Fast forward to the last place I worked, only myself and one other were male out of about 8. Almost all students in Animal care courses (a traditional route for potential keepers in this country) tend to be female.

Keepers are poorly paid - not exactly news to anybody. The job entails often heavy physical work, traditionally a male role. For whatever reason either the interest in zoo work from men has decreased or more likely women are deciding that zoowork is an option. I obviously don't have a problem with this, but it does come with inherent problems ie. women cannot physically lift the same weights as men.
Click to expand...
Very same situation in the field of veterinary medicine.
 
It seems young males are in the lead. John Aspinal may have been correct when he wouldn't employ women as he thought they may distract the male keepers, as I have it on very good authority that yesterday two keepers (I assume one of each sex) were caught "at it" behind the scenes in the aquarium of a major UK zoo. Oh well, young love................
 
reptile1517 said:
It seems young males are in the lead. John Aspinal may have been correct when he wouldn't employ women as he thought they may distract the male keepers, as I have it on very good authority that yesterday two keepers (I assume one of each sex) were caught "at it" behind the scenes in the aquarium of a major UK zoo. Oh well, young love................
Click to expand...

Stupidity has nothing to do with being male or female. Man and women can work perfectly together, but stupid people do stupid things on the workfloor, sex related or not. Most examples I know are more related to money than to sex.
 
tetrapod said:
The job entails often heavy physical work, traditionally a male role. For whatever reason either the interest in zoo work from men has decreased or more likely women are deciding that zoowork is an option. I obviously don't have a problem with this, but it does come with inherent problems ie. women cannot physically lift the same weights as men.
Click to expand...


Interesting point, tetrapod.

Only yesterday I visited a small zoo in NSW and discovered that there was only one male keeper. He has been there for years.

The other keepers were females and had been there for only a couple of months on average. All had done, or were doing, their TAFE course. The longest serving female [nearly one year] was leaving the zoo, and the industry, the next day [today]. Reason? The work is "too hard".

And this in a country where the weight of produce and grain bags has been reduced from 40kg to 20 kg for OH&S reasons! The work is still "too hard". Heaven help us if we ever have to fight to defend ourselves - we'll all be a bunch of cream puffs and a pushover for any invaders!
 
Male, 24, getting closer to 25. Wouldn't be interesting to know how old everyone felt? My guess is that everyone, despite their age feels much younger at the zoo! :D
 
Good point, Budorcas!
I'm probably older than anyone else on this forum, but when I walk through the front gate of a zoo (particularly one I haven't visited before) I feel about 10 years old!
Sure, I'm a bit more critical in my evaluation of the place than I would have been when I really was 10, but the excitement and anticipation are still there.
 
tetrapod said:
There has been a definite trend in a changing sex ratio of keepers particularly noticable during the 90s in most Western zoos. When I started during the early 90s there were about 4 female keepers out of 40. When I left that particular zoo there were about half female. Fast forward to the last place I worked, only myself and one other were male out of about 8. Almost all students in Animal care courses (a traditional route for potential keepers in this country) tend to be female.

Keepers are poorly paid - not exactly news to anybody. The job entails often heavy physical work, traditionally a male role. For whatever reason either the interest in zoo work from men has decreased or more likely women are deciding that zoowork is an option. I obviously don't have a problem with this, but it does come with inherent problems ie. women cannot physically lift the same weights as men.

Note these changes have not taken place in Asian or African collections.
Click to expand...

It is disappointing to hear that keepers are poorly paid. Every single one I have observed at any zoo works very hard. In addition, their love for the animals in their charge shows in everything they do.

This is just a thought, but I am wondering if the increase in the percentage of female keepers is also partially due to the fact that most zoos now expect keepers to be more friendly with visitors and to teach as part of their job. The perception might be that young women are more comfortable talking to families with young children, and even that visitors with young children prefer having someone who is more like an elementary school teacher do the presentations and answer questions.

I am just thinking this since it has always seemed that most elementary school teachers are women.

I am not stating an opinion on this - just wondering if it might be a factor.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top