Trained Male Nanny From N.Z. Tilts Barriers In... (Press, 21 December 1988)

Steve Loverage, a 22-year-old trained male nanny from Otorohonga, New Zealand, has made significant strides in overcoming sex discrimination in Britain, where he has taken up nannying. After struggling for three months to find work in London, a city with a population of 8 million but only 20 to 30 male nannies, he has finally secured a position. The concept of a male nanny is rare in the UK, leading to a full-page feature on him in a London newspaper, highlighting the challenges he faced in a country with conservative views on the role. Growing up on a farm and educated in Hamilton, Steve developed a love for caring for children during his babysitting experiences. After attempting a nursing course at Waikato Technical Institute, he found his passion lay in nannying. With many New Zealanders seeking overseas experiences, Steve saw Britain as the ideal destination to gain more work experience in his field. Upon arriving in Britain at the end of August 1988, he faced difficulties finding a job in nannying despite his qualifications. Initially, he wrote to various nanny agencies, finding little success, with only one showing interest—Wimbledon Nannies, run by a former New Zealander. Desperate for encouragement amid rejections, he turned to classified ads in "The Lady" magazine, unwavering in his pursuit despite racking up considerable phone bills. In his relentless search, he faced numerous rejections, often due to his gender, yet continued to adapt his strategy. Notably, he brought humour into his calls, suggesting he might consider a sex change to meet the requirements of the job. However, after responding to nearly 100 advertisements with minimal results, he finally landed an interview with Dudley and Suzanne Miles, who appreciated having a male presence for their three sons. The interview proved successful, and Steve was offered the position almost immediately. Steve's duties involve caring for the boys, including morning routines, school drop-offs and pickups, and evening supervision. He has established a good rapport with the children, who have adjusted well to having him as their nanny. They previously had a female nanny named Mindy, and while the youngest boy, Sebastian, remarked that Steve does not share his enthusiasm for Kylie Minogue, he has found Steve to be nice. Now settled into his role, Steve plans to continue his work for a year or two, with aspirations to explore more of the world through child-minding opportunities in places like Israel, Switzerland, Canada, and America. He views nannying not merely as a job but as a fulfilling activity he enjoys.

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