Men and Paediatrics? Is this considered Ethical?

**ManFromTheJam** · 03-11-2005, 05:56 AM

Hi all! What are your opinions of men studying medicine with a genuine interest in Paediatrics (although neurology is also a major interest of mine)? I am the University of Essex (Writtle) and everyone here feels that it would be unwise to even consider this seriously

(unethical for a young man to be considering a job with children). I feel this is a great shame for any man interested in helping children

and would like to think that these people are wrong. What are peeps opinions? Has it really come to this? Any advice would be nice from other guys with similar ambitions in the same boat

!

**doc-to-be** · 03-11-2005, 12:33 PM

I agree that it would be a great shame to avoid going into a speciality that you are obviously passionate about because of what other people think. Plenty of men go into paediatrics, probably fewer than women, but it seems that fewer women go into obs and gynae than men and some may see that as a bit dodgy!
Good luck

**rjm** · 03-11-2005, 01:30 PM

Dont worry about it, there are at least as many male consultants and other docs in paeds as women. As doc-to-be pointed out, there are def more men in O+G and noone thinks that is odd.

**heelah** · 03-11-2005, 06:50 PM

Originally Posted by ManFromTheJam

Hi all! What are your opinions of men studying medicine with a genuine interest in Paediatrics (although neurology is also a major interest of mine)? I am the University of Essex (Writtle) and everyone here feels that it would be unwise to even consider this seriously

(unethical for a young man to be considering a job with children). I feel this is a great shame for any man interested in helping children

and would like to think that these people are wrong. What are peeps opinions? Has it really come to this? Any advice would be nice from other guys with similar ambitions in the same boat

!

Hi MFTJ,

Be your man and stand your ground. Whatever you decide dont let public opinion and political nonesense mess up your destiny. Keep in mind that there'll always be pos/neg consequences. Check this out; If you meet peeps' expectations base on a foundation of who you are, you're...THE MAN! If who are you is base on a foundation of peeps' opinions etc, then you're a... NOBODY!

Me...!!

**simisims** · 25-01-2006, 07:34 PM

I have just moved from paediatric care and into adult care(I have severe/brittleastrhma) and my consultant was male and he was very good, I think it can depend on how well males communicate with children as it thought they don't have much of a maternal instinct.

**simisims** · 25-01-2006, 07:36 PM

I have just moved from paediatric care and into adult care(I have severe/brittleasthma) and my consultant was male and he was very good, I think it can depend on how well males communicate with children as it thought they don't have much of a maternal instinct.

**simisims** · 25-01-2006, 07:37 PM

sorry double post!

**peaceful_blossom** · 27-01-2006, 01:05 AM

Originally Posted by Simon

That is the most wonderfully ridiculuous advice I have ever heard!

Ditto!

I think working with children is great if your a women or a man.

And dont male, father and look after their children? So why cant they be good no great paediiations?

Strange person whoever gave you that advise.

If you want to do it then go for it.

I mean I had a male paediation when I went to the hospital (when I was young). And he was great. I wouldnt have changed him for a female.

**andy2** · 06-03-2006, 05:34 PM

garbage, obviously from someone who hasn't worked in medicine - paeds is full of men, as is GP which also has a pretty high paeds workload. There is a degree of discrimination against male medical students in O+G which is increasingly reflected in career choices. This is certainly not the case in paediatrics.
The current attitude amoungst the general population towards those men who work with children in unhealthy and driven by tabloid-esque fears and anxities. I wouldn't listen to anyone who dosen't work in medicine when it comes to taking career advice, frankly they don't know shit about it.

**Welsh medic to be!** · 06-03-2006, 05:46 PM

Hey, ManFromTheJam, I wouldn't worry about it. I have the same aspirations myself, (or maybe A+E, I can't decide. Maybe Paeds A+E, now there's an idea!!)
Anyway, I sure as hell won't be caring about what anybody else says when I come to decide, and everyone else can think what they want. If I wanted to do something, and I'm good enough to get the job, then there is no way that I'd let anybody else's opinions get in the way!!