Gender and Objectivity in Medicine

Abstract

Medicine in the United States has been an overwhelmingly male profession since the emergence of the modern medical profession in the late 19th century. Historically the exclusion of women from medical training was justified on the grounds that females are innately less capable of scientific objectivity than males. However, a brief examination of gynecological theory and practice advanced by male physicians over the last 100 years reveals that medical “science” has been and continues to be permeated with sex prejudices. The direction of the bias in the medical care of women has been to reinforce traditional social roles for women. In addition, nonobjectivity in the medical care of women has been directly detrimental to women's health. It is urged that medicine discard old prejudices and develop a firmer scientific basis.