Hey educators, let’s talk about foot dragging.

I have been reading an article by Andrew Yarrow, 2013, on civil disobedience: understanding resistance and value in childcare. I came across the term “foot-dragging” as one of the three distinct forms of everyday resistance the researcher observed being used by early childhood educators and teachers.

The key idea is that foot dragging is when we don’t want to do anything more than the absolute necessary minimum required to keep children safe, satisfy basic compliance, and get your salary.

Unfortunately, as an early childhood trainee, then an early childhood educator, teacher and trainer, I have seen all of these practices.

And instead of calling educators lazy, Andrew Yarrow, the researcher, talks about it as a form of resistance. Educators are resisting rather than simply complying with rules, or feeling discontent but powerless to act.

Let’s say, for example, documentation. Or the requirement to use gloves when you apply sunscreen to 27 children 500 times a day. Or documenting every body movement, or every gram of food a child ate, when it’s not actually required by law.

Educators do what is called “foot dragging”.

It’s a lack of enthusiasm and low energy. It’s a refusal to take that extra step, to go above and beyond.

And going above and beyond is something that early childhood teachers and educators have historically been famous for. We do this job out of love and commitment to early childhood education and to children in general.

But many educators in the study talk about how they lost their enthusiasm. They can’t be bothered anymore because they have been disrespected so many times.

Personally, I have been there as well.

Because when you are paid peanuts, sometimes you work for this bigger goal, right? You go above and beyond. You attend those opening days, you are super diligent, you do your documentation, you give that extra bit of effort.

It’s common for beginning educators and teachers as well.

But eventually, you can start to feel disrespected, under surveillance, under the regulatory gaze, constantly being investigated, or simply not trusted.

And poor wages, poor working conditions and disrespect can lead to a loss of enthusiasm and energy.

So educators start saying things like, “Oh well, they don’t pay me for that.”

Or, “We’re only paid to do this. I’m not going any further.”

And sometimes, this can be quite damaging.

But according to this researcher, Andrew Yarrow, it’s something we shouldn’t simply judge.

Foot dragging can actually be a form of resistance to the disrespect and lack of recognition experienced by our profession.

On the surface, it looks like an individual failure. A lazy person. Someone who lacks commitment.

And sometimes, it probably is.

But according to a feminist materialist perspective, it can also be understood as one of the most honest and rational responses to systemic exploitation experienced by predominantly female workers.

So I wonder what you think about dragging your feet.

Do you ever do that?

Do you ever feel so demotivated and stressed that you think, “I’m not paid for doing more than I’m paid for”?

What’s your take on this?

I’d love to know.

Storykate