Challenges for Men in a

Female Dominated
Environment
Contents
 Introduction
 History
 Barriers to Men entering the Nursing
Profession
 Women Overcoming Prejudice and
Discrimination
 Common Perceptions Against Male Nurses
 Patients’ Perceptions of Male Nurses
 Men’s Experience of Nursing
 Conclusion
Introduction
Florence Nightingale’s perception and
feminization of nursing into a female only
profession has resulted in fewer men pursuing
nursing as a career, with men in contemporary
society making up only 10% of nursing
professionals. Stereotyping and gender bias of
men has helped create a less than inclusive,
sometimes isolating and challenging experience
for men in nursing, who are frequently treated
differently to their female counterparts
Florence Nightingale
 Perceived nursing as a career meant only
for women
 Perceived men as lacking in the capacity
to care and empathize with patients
 Her views resulted in women being
predisposed to nursing, seeing it as an
extension of their natural duties
History
 Nursing has not always been a
predominately female career.
 Men significantly represented nursing,
mainly because of the association
between nursing and the military.
 India, 250 BC- first nursing school is open,
accepted men only.
 11th century – male nurses cared for the
sick and injured during the crusades.
 World war 1- male nurses, were called orderlies,
serve in the frontline caring for the injured.
 It was by this time that men were being
discriminated and looked over in favor of their
female counterparts.
 Nurse registration act, 1919- female nurses were
regarded as full members while men were only
given recognition.
 Female nurses were often hostile to male nurses to
the point of obstructing their employment.
 Society of registered male nurses, 1930’s-
encourage training conduct and tradition
of men in nursing.
 World war 2- male nurses work in battle
field where women were not allowed to
work.
 1947-present – male and female nurses
begin having equal treatment with
female nurses still being favored.
Barriers to Men entering the
Nursing Profession
 The biggest barrier is gender itself.
 Men are viewed as unsuitable caregivers,
in compassionate and insensitive.
 The feminization of touch prevents male
nurses from providing care.
 Using high tech, low touch specialties
improves work of male nurses but takes
away the caring aspect.
Women Overcoming Prejudice
and Discrimination
 Women have successfully overcome the
widespread stereotypical belief that many
professions are only for men.
 According to latest statistics the increase in
women joining medicine as a profession
means that in a few years there will be more
female than male doctors.
 Compared to a hundred years ago when
women were not granted medical degrees.
Common Perceptions Against
Male Nurses
 The most common perception towards male
nurses is that they earn more money than
female nurses.
 Men are assumed to be leaders and are
judged negatively when they do not hold a
senior position.
 Male nurses are percieved to fall into one of
four roles: the ladder climber; the trouble-
maker; the He man; the homosexual.
Patients’ Perceptions of Male
Nurses
 Patients saw no difference in care
provided between male and female
nurses.
 They preferred male nurses because they
were more gentle, concerned, and
compassionate; while female nurses
would be moody, harsh, and didn’t take
their time.
Men’s Experience of Nursing
 Because of Florence Nightingale’s
discrimination towards men, men in
nursing encounter challenges such as
stereotyping and gender bias.
 The main stereotype is about the sexuality,
with them either being gay or sexual
predators, however the public views them
as gay.
Conclusion
 Although negative societal and stereotypical
views still persist these views are slowly
changing. Men continue to face challenges
in nursing but as more men assumes positions
of leadership the reversal of gender bias may
start in nursing.
 Patients are more accepting especially after
being cared for by a male nurse. It is
important that nursing becomes a
representative for the people it cares for.
Thank you for
Listening