How is masculinity understood amongst male nurses in caregiving roles, which are widely considered non-traditional to their gender?
Not only do men in caregiving work roles find themselves at odds with traditional western gender norms, those within nursing are often considered to be partaking in ‘the most feminine of all female-dominated occupations’ (Abrahamsen, 2006). Examining the ways in which men reconcile their non-traditional occupations with their sense of masculinity is vital not only in ascertaining a well-rounded understanding of masculinity, but more practically in bridging the gender divide that is prevalent in nursing today (Loughrey, 2008). Raewyn Cornell’s theory of hegemonic masculinity acknowledges that while masculinity
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Studying men in nursing through the paradigm of hegemonic masculinity can help explain certain trends the nursing, such as the disproportionate rates of promotions given to men over women (Abrahamsen, 2006). However, there is danger in hegemonic masculinity being treated as an absolute and irrefutable lens through which to study male nurses, as it often leads to an oversimplification of the complex and varied driving forces at play. An additional model used to study this topic, is the theory of gender performance. Coined by Judith Butler, it suggests that human beings learn their gender, through conscious, and sub-concious pressure to identify with their biological sex (Butler, 1990). Gender is thus constantly re-affirmed through individual’s gendered performance of acts and behaviours which conform to societal expectation (Butler, 1990). Despite receiving some criticism for being removed from the practicalities of everyday experience (Butler, 1990), her writings allow for a more nuanced platform to …show more content…
This is seen in varied degrees in the nursing profession. From quantitative analysis, there is a clear divide in the gender trajectories of men and women, which is said to be primarily driven by male nurse’s struggle for power (Loughrey, 2006). One study found that within ten years in the profession more than half of the men studied had leadership roles, compared to only 20% of women - and after twenty years this number increases to 70% for men, and 40% for women (Abrahamsen, 2006). As the masculine concept of being a ‘provider’ has been noted as a barrier to men entering the profession (Evans, 2004), it can be reasonably assumed that many of those who leave nursing do so because they have not attained the higher paying leadership roles - with one study noting that ‘[m]ale nurses who have left nursing consider salary and career very important’ (Abrahamsen, 2006). As a result, there can be a culture of hegemonic masculinity amongst those men who remain in nursing. One occupational therapist studied describes the way in which male psychiatric nurses taunted him, saying: ‘‘there is definitely a testosterone culture … I had verbal jibes – remarks about my masculinity … how can you be a real man in a woman’s job?’ (Loughery, 2008). The irony of this pervasive culture
The concept of masculinity is considered as the qualities and characteristics of a man, typical what is appropriate to a man. In this article, A Community Psychology of Men and Masculinity: Historical and Conceptual Review, The author Eric S. Mankowski and Kenneth I. Maton, analyze four main themes: "Men as gendered beings, the privilege and damage of being a masculine man, men as a privileged group, and men’s power and subjective powerlessness. The second and fourth themes are described as
She taught at universities both in Australia and the United States. Connell highly disagreed that the ideas about what established masculinity are ethically definite. In other words, masculinity is important to whom is referred to. For example, “if women are seen as weak, passive and emotional, then men are supposed to be strong, aggressive, and rational” (Seidman, 221). Additionally, masculinity is based on how people interact with each other in which correlates with their race, class, and sexuality. With this said, Connell said, “to recognize diversity in masculinity: relations of alliance, dominance and subordination… This is a gender politics within masculinity” (Seidman, 223). To point out Connell’s theorizing masculinity, she believes that diversity defines masculinity has its own relationships with authorities. In our text, Seidman gave a brief example of how the roles carry out to the social authority such as President, Senator, CEO, General, media executive, or surgeon. It is stated that while there are many senators, executives, or CEOs who are women, it is definite identify as masculinity because people think those high authorities is only for a male role. In our text, Connell has mentioned that “every society has a dominant or a “hegemonic” type of masculinity” (223). This means that she believes men has the power or control type of their masculinity in the
The biggest stereotype about nurses is that they are all women. According to the website Esquire.Com, people believe that men should be doctors, algal field monitors, independent
In today’s society the male nursing profession is sometimes portrayed negatively in the media. Male nurses are often viewed as more aggressive, incompetent and working in a predominantly female profession. The media source chosen was a movie called “Meet The Parents” (2000) The film was based on the idea that a male nurse would go and meet his future wife’s family, and upon meeting the family, things took a turn for the worse. reinforced the common male nursing stereotypes portrayed in the media.
Its 1:30 am and you are have just experienced a major car wreck. You are in the ambulance where the paramedics are telling you it will be ok just hold still big. You arrive at the emergency room and everything is a blurred. You don’t care if the nurse is a female or a male. You don’t stop the male nurse from caring for you. But what happens when you go to the doctor for a follow up visit and see a male nurse? Do you still see a powerful male that saved your life or a powerless manweak feminine failure ? When providing care for a patient, a male nurse faces challenges such as gender bias and judgement .
Gender-Based Accounts of Men in Nursing." Procedia- Social and Behavioral Sciences 5. (2010): 345-49. One Search. Web. 19 Feb. 2014.
Early feminist studies of gender often depicted the expression of masculinity as solely meant to subordinate women. Upon further research and understanding of gender and its role in society, gender theorists have realized that masculinity is not only a patriarchal regulation against women, but that it also has negative effects against men. Masculinity has different characteristics in different cultures, but masculinity in general presents a hierarchy of traits, with femininity as the lowest, least desirable trait. In American culture, masculinity is defined within multiple structures, such as race, class, and sexuality, where a man’s masculinity can be lessened by his traits as well as these identities. Often, normative expressions of masculinity
Gender is a performance according to Judith Butler . All bodies, she claims, are gendered from birth; sometimes even earlier now we can determine sex in the womb . For Butler society dictates ones gender and the individual reinforces that gender through performance . “The deeds make the doer” in Butler’s words; there is no subject prior to performance. Butler’s concept of gender, however, leads us to question: what of those who are incapable of performing the gender ascribed to them? If one is unable to perform are they left genderless, lacking subjectivity and social identity? If no human is without gender , as Butler claims, then where does this leave her theory? Either gender is more than simply performance or one can exist without gender.
There was seldom a mention of male and male students choosing to become nurses. Along with the belief of nursing being a career choice more female-directed, there was also the repeated mention of the career being for middle-class women (Price, 2008). Historically, women have been the dominant face of nursing and it has always been considered a suitable career for women, whereas most careers in the past would never be acceptable for a female. For some of the female students who were interviewed, this stereotype was part of a deferent to choosing nursing. They did not want to be thought of as a stereotypical women, and be casted into a mould of what most women choose (Price, Hall, Angus, & Peter, 2013). In a modern society, more and more women are wishing to push the boundaries on what use to be referred to as a male dominated territory. This is true in careers as well. Many females second guess their decision in choosing nursing due to
When people think of a nurse they normally come to the conclusion that most nurses are women. I would have thought the same, due to the qualities I have mentioned. I would like to research why men are entering the nursing profession. I feel that a male would join the profession because of the hours a nurse works. Men who like to fish and hunt can work as a nurse three days a week full time and have four days to enjoy leisure activities. The nursing profession is drawing more men into the field and usually thought for the same reasons as women. By a series of an observation, a survey, an interview, and a personal history, I will prove that men join the nursing profession because of money.
A better understanding of the challenges regarding male nurses whilst in the field would benefit the health system and help attract and retain male nurses better (Rajacich et al., 2013). Men that take on a nursing career are going to have their reasons and personalities questioned until the current stereotype is broken and nursing for men becomes an option from a young age. Hopefully in time a male nurse will one day be called “Nurse” like every other female, rather than “Male Nurse” and feel like they are able to achieve the same as any of their nursing colleagues. Works Cited Hope, M. (2013). The 'Path of the Earth'.
Debates over gender are always difficult to win. Each side has its own experience and it is impossible for the other side to completely understand the others perspective. In William Farrell’s essay “Men as Success Objects” the subject of male identity is discussed as objectively as a person of either gender could do. Through the use of an objective point of view, an intellectual tone, and appeals to both logos and ethos Farrell’s argument becomes both valid an effective. Through his use of rhetorical devices Farrell tells people what he knows and changes what they think.
The role of the nurse is predominantly perceived as a female profession, however more men are pursuing a career as a nurse. In the nursing profession men are being subjected to discrimination and bias due to the typecasting of the nurse as a feminine occupation. Consequently, male nurses are presumed as homosexual and exposed to homophobic attitudes (Mohamed, Mohamed, 2015). Also, there is a perception men only become nurses due to their failure at pursuing a career as a medical practitioner. The scope of nursing necessitates a caring and compassionate attributes, characteristics only seen in the female disposition, this misconception suggests men lack these
Today, most people perceive nursing as a women's profession. Men who enter this field have been looked at as outcasts. Many individuals feel that a man does not belong in a "feminine" profession. The. I believe that statement to be untrue and unfair.
According to Ralph Waldo Emerson, we live in a society of conformity that is, "in conspiracy against the manhood of every one of its members . . . the virtue in most request is conformity. Self-reliance is its aversion" (Emerson, 21). Since Civil War Nursing, women in the work force have been faced with this dilemma of self-reliance and conformity. As women have been discriminated against, and referred to as inferior to men, it has not been an easy task to over come the social barriers, without giving in to conformity, especially when it comes to the work place. As their role in the Civil War, nurses "fulfilled more of a replacement mother position, rather than a healthcare provider"(Hamway, 2001).