Number of male teachers declines

NEW YORK, Oct. 20 (UPI) -- The number of male teachers in U.S. classrooms is shrinking, the National Education Association says.

The teachers' group says the number of male teachers in the United States is at a 40-year low, with only about a quarter of teachers being men, ABC's "Good Morning America" reported Monday.

"Right now, we know that there's about 4 to 5 percent men in early education, about 9 percent in elementary education. And in high schools, we have about 14 percent," said Bryan Nelson, the founder of MenTeach.org, which works to increase number of men working in schools.

Nelson said there are reasons for the decline in male teachers.

"The first reason is stereotypes. People believe men aren't nurturing. The second reason is fear of accusations of abuse. People are afraid men are going to harm children. And the third reason is low status, low pay," he said.

Nelson dismissed the idea that children are at risk around male teachers.

"The data shows that a child is more likely to be harmed by somebody in their home than they are by somebody in their schools, so children are safe with their teachers," Nelson said.