It's a little like saying (back in the homophobic days) that we want to see homosexual men working as bathroom attendants.

Very, very little.

Mainly because bathrooms weren't (AFAIK) effective as places to pick up guys.

And, actually, I think a lot of MAPs are drawn to other careers and industries.

Sure. I never said they had to, just that they should strongly consider it.

While I agree with the sentiment of carving a place in society, I think that place should have a social niche that isn't necessarily tied to vocation.

Oh, eventually. That would be fucking great, wouldn't it? But you're not going to find such a social niche in today's society because there isn't one. Except -- wait -- childcare maybe? Because people have been effectively throwing their kids at me ever since they found out that's what I was getting into...

Maybe I should've specified "exclusive or primary pedos", because this is a matter of degree for people. Some pedos are very much attracted to adults and can do with getting close to the odd kid here or there, or maybe not at all. I don't know. All I know is I find it hard to imagine a happy life for myself without children in it constantly.

I'm an exclusive pedo, so a lot of workplaces just don't appeal to me because there aren't any kids to be found anywhere.

Some of us just wouldn’t be fulfilling our personal interests (or potential) in childcare work.

Perfectly fair. Remember, this was a suggestion. And I didn't state childcare and only childcare -- I gave childcare and teaching as two socially valid options that make life much, much easier and more fulfilling for pedos today. If you can find another way to be around kids, more power to you. The only important thing is that you are making connections with children somehow. But I know that some pedos struggle with that, and become depressed during periods of downtime.

And, childcare might be hard for some MAPs who aren't interested (or comfortable) in taking care of children as an authority (or pseudo-authority) figure; some of us are would be better if we could just be friends, or for that matter romantic partners.

You don't need to be an authority figure to be respected enough to be listened to. You just have to treat the children with as much respect as you want to receive from them. You only need to be an authority when the situation truly, truly calls for it. If you are taking care of children and you feel like an authority, you could probably be doing a better job (and the children could probably be enjoying your company more).

Just friends are great, and romantic partners are great. Again, have fun finding both in today's society. Especially if your primary AoA is between, like, 4-8.

Additionally, I think it's hard for a lot of younger MAPs because they tend to treat children like real people, not inferior members of society, which isn’t cool with the status quo or looks too suspicious to some of the more paranoid Law and Order SVU junkies out there. Or our young MAPs are nervous/awkward as heck around kids.

Yeah. You know why they're awkward? It's because they have no socially valid reason for interacting with kids. And little to no experience interacting with them. I know the feeling, and getting into a field that involves working with kids is a great way to fix it pronto.

At least, it did for me. I never felt fully comfortably presenting myself as someone who loves kids until I started working with them. Now it's well-known, and I'm fully expected to wander off with the kids and keep them busy while the adults do their social thing elsewhere. Not that it was ever bad before; I was always pretty confident. But things became so much more free and effortless once other adults had that instant validation that I could be trusted. "That man is really getting along great with those kids..."

"Oh, that's Rainbow, he works with kids."

"Really? We've been looking for a good babysitter..."

Score. :/

Oh, and FYI, I treat kids like "real people" too and I have received zero suspicion and 100% support. So I'm pretty sure that's all psychological.

I, for one, only became comfortable around LGs in my late twenties. I mean, I liked being around them, but I didn't know how to interact in a non-awkward and/or flirty way. I’d get too big of crushes to effectively hide, gavitate toward hanging with the middle schoolers instead of peers, which in retrospect probably looked a little odd.

Perhaps because you didn't have enough experience interacting with them, because society segregates children from everyone else?

Now I'm very at ease, even in my crushing/longing. I know the right balance of restraint and affection to look kinda like I’d make a great dad.

Glad that works for you. :/

I prefer to look like someone who just loves kids. Which is what I am, and it's great.

Anyway, I wasn't implying that all MAPs need to get into childcare as some sort of political movement. :/ It was just a suggestion as one of the only valid (as far as I can see) ways to consistently have that part of you feel in sync with what's going on in the real world. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying things should be that way... I wish they weren't. But right now, it's just really beneficial for an MAP to be working with kids in some capacity. It's really empowering. :)

I WAS implying, however, that I think more MAPs need to come out of the dark and start interacting with children day-to-day. Because you're right. Young MAPs are afraid and awkward because of the stigma around men engaging with children, and that needs to change. It is addressing the very root of the problem.

~ Rainbow