Meaning of Instructor Gender

[scubajoh44]

I saw a post a few days ago (can't find it now) about genders of instructors and what that might mean to their students. What will it mean for me when I start instructing since I'm a female that doesn't have a Barbie doll body? Do you think I will have a hard time getting students because of this or that students just might not respect my opinions and teaching as much? Should I not persue it?

 

[carldarl]

scubajoh44...

WOW! Talk about putting us men in a position on no-win answers. I don't personally think male/female makes a great deal of difference. At least for me. Not having a Barbie doll body (for what ever reason) may actually be an advantage. I think the only difference for me would be the distraction a "Barbie doll" body would create. Especially if pool work were done in swimsuits instead of wetsuits. But then, I don't have a Ken body either. WAIT!!! Yes I do!!! I have a Ken, Poindexter, Bob, Sam, Gary and John body all wrapped up in one.

If you enjoy it and don't need to make a living from the income go for it. I'm AOW certified now so I'll just sit at the edge of the pool and "Audit" the class.


PS: My 20 year old daughter wants to know why almost all men who dive are built like me. I stopped and thought about it. Probably 80% of the divers I know and /or have mt don't have a Ken body type. Why is that?

 

[Walter]

What do you mean by "I'm a female that doesn't have a Barbie doll body"? Are you an average person in reasonably fit shape? If so, I wouldn't expect a problem. If you are obese, you should get in better shape for your own health as well as to set an example for your students. This is a health issue, but not an issue of gender.

 

[scubajoh44]

I'm an average woman. I wouldn't say I'm in "good" shape, but ok. I was able to pass all of my Divemaster swimming test. I've heard a lot of people say that male instructors will have more "authority" and may even draw more to their class because of it. I guess what I'm really asking is ...... will being an average looking female make students not respect my teachings as much as a male? If so, I don't want to teach.

 

[devolution365]

One of our instructors was a female with an un-Barbie like body, it made no difference to us! She was very good at instructing and obviously a proficient diver, so... (what difference does it make?)

On the other hand, the female vs male teaching style... I think we got the best of both worlds there. The male instructor cut to the chase "You're doing that wrong, see -do it like this or you'll get in trouble when you..." (You get the point.) The female instructor was more about encouragement and taking time to explain things more fully. The two different styles worked well -some students gravitated to the male instructor, the others to the female. The interesting thing was that it wasn't necessarily the women who needed the encouragement and what some might call "hand holding". -There's such a wide variety of student divers out there, that all kinds of (good) instructors are needed. Some will like your style, some won't.

...and let's not forget female students. Perhaps they'll feel less intimidated by a woman teacher who's not Barbie? -I have a friend who looks like a Playboy model. She intimidates the heck out of the women around her, and while the males are attracted to her, their wives forbid them to even speak to her. -It's not easy for "Barbie" either!

Student divers are looking for good instruction -that's the bottom line. Most of the students in my class were in their 20's or 30's -far beyond high school age where 'looks are everything'. We were all looking for the best instruction possible. Relax, be yourself, and concentrate on being a good instructor. No one cares what you look like.

DISCLAIMER: As a female who's generally considered a tomboy, I understand that I'm stereotyping the male/female roles above. I'm speaking in generalities here...

 

[Wayward Son]

I think you're confusing respect with lust

 

[Goose75]

I've had both male and female instructors. I don't care what they look like except as an indication of fitness level required to handle dive conditions and emergencies. Knowledge and skill matter most.

 

[Walter]

I'm an average woman. I wouldn't say I'm in "good" shape, but ok. I was able to pass all of my Divemaster swimming test. I've heard a lot of people say that male instructors will have more "authority" and may even draw more to their class because of it. I guess what I'm really asking is ...... will being an average looking female make students not respect my teachings as much as a male? If so, I don't want to teach.

Some people will always live in the stone age and you may not do well with them. OTOH, no one can teach everyone. I suspect you'll do well.

 

[rsilva708]

I don't think it matters if your not a "barbie" girl. What matters is your personality and teaching style. When I got back into diving last year after a long rehab from a back injury, the only instructor my LDS had that could go out with me on weekdays was a "non-barbie" type. But her personality and teaching style has kept me going back. When I went back to diving, I had no intention of going any farther than AOW, yet now she has kept me so intrested in learning more, that I have moved up to DM, and will be fininshing my AI very soon. Not to mention the countless specialities she has tought me. No instructor will be able to attract every type of student, but if you love what you do why not continue on. If you have something to offer to your students, you will make a fine instructor.

 

[scubajoh44]

Thanks for the encouragement....(I think). I know I will be a good teacher. I teach high school now and am able to figure out the teaching style people respond to and need. I want students to get the best (as I want myself) and thought that if people THOUGHT male could do the job better, I'de let them. Then agian, I guess if they have a problem with females, they wouldn't be coming to me in the first place.