Male Midwives

misscurious · #51 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 16:01

Well said Kentish Spitfire.

Noo · #52 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 16:08

I'd be very interested to hear the experiences of male midwives/student midwives though. I'd be interested to hear if they've faced any problems in placement/in uni... with women/other midwives? If you are indeed male, 6or9 I'd appreciate your take on the subject

6or9of32 · #53 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 19:29

Little Noo i wonder why you think i would i be male?

I think however that stereotypically all male nurses or midwives are seen as either lazy, careerists or gay.

I have a few nurses / midwives in my extended family, and this is the general perception amongst them, but the midwives in particular seem to be not in favour of males for the reasons stated above.

Dory · #54 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 19:38

I don't know - I think that male midwives are often viewed as a bit of an oddity as the medical model of childbirth and of managing birth is portrayed in some literature as an attempt by a predomininantly male establishment to control and dominate women - whereas midwives are portrayed as women 'with woman'. If you have this viewpoint in mind, you could perceive male midwives as men who have 'joined the other side'

Not very well explained, and not necessarily my view....

Noo · #55 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 19:42

Originally Posted by 6or9of32

Little Noo i wonder why you think i would i be male?

Well you didn't confirm or deny... So I asked in case you were!

I've seen some pretty lazy female nurses and midwives... I don't think that characteristic is saved for men only

C22 · #56 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 20:25

There is a male midwife at my local hospital i didnt have the pleasure of him delivering either of my 2 but my frind had her baby delivered by him and she said he was really funny and made you feel really at ease!
I have a male friend who is applying for midiwfery for sept 09 intake, I think he would make a brilliant midwife!
6or9of32 I dont understand why you made this comment
''I think however that stereotypically all male nurses or midwives are seen as either lazy, careerists or gay.''
As there is no evidence to back this up
Oh well I say bring on more male midwifes!!

Billynomates · #57 (**permalink**) 10-Jun-2008, 20:41

Many people wonder why men would want to be midwives but no one questions a gynocologist do they??

The only argument that people with the opinon that men shouldn't be midwives is because they are only doing it to be pervy. However, we don't question lesbians do we?

6or9of32 · #58 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 14:17

Originally Posted by Claire22

6or9of32 I dont understand why you made this comment ''I think however that stereotypically all male nurses or midwives are seen as either lazy, careerists or gay.'' As there is no evidence to back this up

I made comment based on UK media representations of male nurses (and my experiences of my (extended) family and comments made by them). I agree that no evidence exists to back it up (that'd be why i used the word "stereotypically").

Female nurses were seen by clients as battleaxe, angel, wh*re in past (& possibly still are by some). This was reported by Jane Savage in mid 80's in her book on stereotyping in nursing.

I still think it's not manly as such (although i have no issue with it) and know of one male who's derided in his unit by staff mainly - the women seem to like him (the staff snipe behind his back re his job choice and comments have included "it's only way he'd get his hands on a woman", "he'll be gone in another year, anyway, to lecture" and "how could he get his degree so quickly").

Judge not people is my motto.

TallPoppy · #59 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 15:13

Thats awful 6or9. But its not the first time Ive heard about male midwives being treated like this.

From the views in this thread it seems the next generation of midwives dont think like that, so maybe change will come in time.

Sooz, sadly, I have heard of lesbians getting a hard time from other staff which is why alot stay in the closet at work.

Noo · #60 (**permalink**) 11-Jun-2008, 15:21

I have heard of male midwives/student midwives being effectively bullied at work/in placement and would be very interested to hear how widespread the problem is. The reasons for people choosing their career paths should not be any concern of anyone except the person choosing to take that choice in life.

As for lesbians.. I can't say I know any lesbian midwives to ask.. plus being a lesbian isn't as obvious as being male... though looking at some of the midwives I've also seen... Neither is being female

Male Midwives

Male Midwives

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