We have a male nanny and no regrets. Not only did he impress us and have excellent references, but it was also consistent with risk management. The risk of infant sexual abuse is minuscule, while the risk of household accidents is real. Our nanny is strong as an ox and has been a CPR trainer. We also know he went into this career (after a successful more traditional one) out of a real desire to care for children, not because it was his only option or an expected one.

The bottom line is that real-life hiring decisions aren't of "a man" or "a woman"; they're about a specific individual.