Opinion: No one gender is better at caring for children

And some occupations, such as childcare, are almost entirely undertakenby women. This has to change for two reasons.

Firstly, a mixed workforce would be more representative of thepopulation and would provide male role models for children. But there isalso a more practical reason, as the demand for care services increases,more workers will be needed and the pool of potential recruits will haveto widen. Recruiting more men into children's services will become anecessity.

There are already changes underway that could help bring about a moregender balanced workforce. The Government's youth green paper containsproposals to improve careers advice and support. Research published bythe Equal Opportunities Commission showed that one in four 14- to15-year-old boys is interested in a career in the caring professions butfew are encouraged to act on this interest. The gender bias in careersadvice needs to change. But jobs also have to offer better prospects ifthey are to attract young people.