How do male primary teachers cope with the fear and uncertainty they experience in relation to physical contact?

Young children often look to their teachers for affection and acceptance,particularly if they are injured or upset. Yet, many male primary teachersexperience substantial fear and uncertainty about making physicalcontact with their students. This study used 53 open ended surveyresponses and semi-structured interviews with five experienced maleprimary teachers in Tasmania, Australia to investigate the copingstrategies and supports these men use to deal with this challenge.Findings revealed a variety of coping strategies and supports, and thatthe fear and uncertainty surrounding physical contact and falseaccusations needs to be reduced if more male primary teachers are tofeel confident interacting with their students in the same ways theirfemale colleagues do