I believe in the freedom to be who you are, whether thats sexuality, gender preference, how you like your eggs, whether you like your men like your tea, having pink hair, lots of tattoos, few bevvies down the pub with your pals on a Friday night etc but when you are representing your profession - these things are of course a part of who you - but some are and some arent appropriate to make your clients and colleagues aware of.... I see it like if I went to a policeman for help and he told me he was hungover and showed me his mobile pics of him and his mates getting wrecked then that would make me feel like he wasnt doing his protect and serve bit. It would be unprofessional. If I was out and he was out and he was in a right state then I probably would think 'hes letting his hair down' others may feel that he should not behave in this way a role model, or 'responsible citizen'.

If this was commonplace and the news and net was full of images and stories like that then the police force would begin to loose credibility. I believe its the same for midwifery. Theres alot of respect and trust in our jobs and I for one wouldnt feel comfortable with any images of me on the net if I were worse for wear (chance would be a fine thing...) as I would feel people would be making decisions about me based on the images.

Its in this decision making process where judgements are made and reputations are secured or become flawed. On a larger scale this can affect professions. It involves expectations, stereotypes, preconcieved ideas of how model citizens behave and what is responsible behaviour and what isnt.

As usual these things are all about balance.

A part of me says 'Stuff it! when students arent at work/uni then let them be students!' but in reality we have the reputation of the profession about us to consider. We chose this career so we should abide by the standards set for us. However, I would like some examples of whats considered inappropriate in your 'down time'... like NS says we will all have different ideas....

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StudentMidwife.NET Founder & Director

What do we live for, if it is not to make life less difficult for each other?
(George Eliot, 1860)