(Ecns.cn) – They are strong, they can babysit, and they are good cooks. Who says men can't be nannies?
Male nannies, or "mannies," are in growing demand in China. Traditionally known as protectors, men can satisfy many needs in your home, ranging from carrying heavy items to guarding against intruders.
Yang, 48, is a male nanny from Liaocheng City of east China's Shandong Province who has been working in Beijing for eight years.
Yang still remembers his first day as a manny. At that time, his job was to look after a paralyzed man who weighed over 80 kilograms and could not move on his own. Yang had to assist the man whenever he needed to use the toilet or take a bath.
But Yang is more than just a strong back. He is also an accomplished cook and a master of Shandong cuisine, known for its milder flavors and focus on seafood. In addition, Yang is good at giving massages and pedicures.
Yang's salary is about 2,600 yuan ($402) a month, while an ordinary female nanny only earns 2,000 yuan ($309). Yang says that sometimes he gets about 3,000 yuan ($464), but since his current employer is a nice person and the work is light, he agreed to a lower fee.
Because male nannies are in scarce supply, Yang has never needed a housekeeping service agency. A simple advertisement in a newspaper attracts more than enough attention.
According to a housekeeping service company, the salary of a male nanny is usually 20 percent higher than that of a female nanny – yet "Mr. Nanny" is always in high demand.
