Inappropriate????

[playfelt]

This is one of those ads that while I understand the rationale and what they were trying to say it is coming across wrong. In fairness they probably thought they were being tactful by what they were saying and saying what they didn't want. I have seen many ads that specifically say must be English as first language or French or Tagalog or whatever the family needs. The idea is that they want someone who will speak the language properly to their child, be able to understand written instructions, read a story, etc. They may also be reeling from a bad experience such as if they had sponsored someone under the foreign caregiver program they only have to stay with the family for a certain length of time before they are free to apply for resident status and take whatever job they want as in the childcare is just a means to an end for many of them. So by saying what they did they are really saying they want a Canadian born English speaking nanny for their child that does not represent a visible minority becaus they are looking for a parent substitute - someone from their own culture.

If they had said that we still be jumping all over them for what they wrote. The truth is in a private situation we can discriminate - that is why we can choose only the families that meet our criteria whereas a daycare centre has to take whatever comes along. They are free to ask for whatever they want in their nanny. The more restrictions they put on the harder it will be to find someone but they are still free to ask whether we approve of it or not.

[ssmith]

I am new here and don't want to cause any trouble but I have seen ads of kijiji for pakistani nanny wanted, filipino nanny wanted, etc. Why does no one get upset about this? Reverse discrimination against "white" people runs rampant in todays society especially in large multicultural cities.

[sunnydays]

There is a difference between "white" and all of the other cultural groups you mentioned. "White" is not a culture! White is a skin colour. If someone is asking for a Pakistani caregiver, it is because they want someone who speaks their language, cooks their kind of food, shares cultural and religious beliefs etc. By asking for a "white" nanny, the person is only assuring themselves of skin colour...not culture, not religion, not type of foods, etc. The English speaking, I can understand...no issue with that. But asking for a "white" person is really really discriminatory. A person with brown skin who was born here and speaks English could just as easily fit with the cultural values of the family.

I am new here and don't want to cause any trouble but I have seen ads of kijiji for pakistani nanny wanted, filipino nanny wanted, etc. Why does no one get upset about this? Reverse discrimination against "white" people runs rampant in todays society especially in large multicultural cities.

[gramma]

What you are saying true so perhaps "white' was not the right way to put it but when you mention someone of "dark" skin even though they may have been born in Canada there are cultural differences in how children are raised. I looked after children whose heritage was Jamaican, although mom and dad were born in Canada. they had a very different way to discipline which includes spanking. I was told it was okay for me to spank their children if needed (although I never would) because in their culture it was acceptable and common practice. If the Op is only going to hire a white, english speaking canadian to help raise her children then why not just advertise that way rather than waste the time of dozens of people of different colours and backgrounds. Sorry but its just my opinion if this offends anyone.

There is a difference between "white" and all of the other cultural groups you mentioned. "White" is not a culture! White is a skin colour. If someone is asking for a Pakistani caregiver, it is because they want someone who speaks their language, cooks their kind of food, shares cultural and religious beliefs etc. By asking for a "white" nanny, the person is only assuring themselves of skin colour...not culture, not religion, not type of foods, etc. The English speaking, I can understand...no issue with that. But asking for a "white" person is really really discriminatory. A person with brown skin who was born here and speaks English could just as easily fit with the cultural values of the family.

[sunnydays]

Do you know how many white people spank their kids as well?! Tons! I think those are the types of issues that need to be discussed in an interview to see if the nanny is a good fit in terms of parenting style, values, etc. It has absolutely NOTHING to do with the colour of someone's skin nor the culture someone was raised in. My husband is African and was beaten as a child, as his family continues to do back home...but he has never laid a hand on our children and never would. He understands it is different here. On the flip side, I was spanked as a child (I am white, English speaking) and really wouldn't have a problem spanking my own children (have done it occasioanally over the years)...but I would NEVER spank someone else's child. Again, I stand by my statement that the Ad above is discriminatory and someone being "white" does absolutely nothing in the way of finding a good match of caregiver and family.

What you are saying true so perhaps "white' was not the right way to put it but when you mention someone of "dark" skin even though they may have been born in Canada there are cultural differences in how children are raised. I looked after children whose heritage was Jamaican, although mom and dad were born in Canada. they had a very different way to discipline which includes spanking. I was told it was okay for me to spank their children if needed (although I never would) because in their culture it was acceptable and common practice. If the Op is only going to hire a white, english speaking canadian to help raise her children then why not just advertise that way rather than waste the time of dozens of people of different colours and backgrounds. Sorry but its just my opinion if this offends anyone.

[gramma]

I totally respect all th opinions voiced here and what a great forum to be able to do so. For me personally its not offensive but we are each entitled to our opionion. I can agree as I mentioned before that perhaps the wording could be different so as not offend but still get the point across.