Is it hypocritical for a feminist to prefer to be examined by a female gynecologist?

Question

This is not to say that men shouldn't be allowed to become gynecologists, or that other women are stupid for letting men work on them down there. This is only to say that an individual feminist would feel more comfortable being examined by a female gynecologist. Is it wrong?

When a gynecologist is performing their services on a woman, he or she is examining the most intimate part of her body. It's not as simple as paying them for a service. Anyone could understand that.

The difference between a woman and Wal-Mart is this: One is an individual human being with physical boundaries. The other is a faceless corporation that has no good reason to favour either sex. You're only digging yourself into a deeper hole by continuing to make claims as ridiculous as the ones you've made today.

Exceptions can be made when the "employer," in this case an individual woman, is choosing someone to perform work on her body. It would be the same story if a man felt more comfortable if another man give him his annual physical. They wouldn't be saying that doctors should never perform on patients of the opposite sex. They would be saying that this is what works best for them.

Answer 1

No, it's personal preference. It would be wrong if they tried to prevent other women from seeing a male gynecologist, or tried to dictate that men shouldn't become gynecologists.

** Raj's (predictable) idiocy implies that I am hiring a doctor. I am not. I am consuming a doctor's services. Am I prejudiced against the Miracle Whip company because I prefer Hellman's mayonnaise? Can the Miracle Whip people sue me for discrimination because I prefer another's product?

Answer 2

I don't think it's hypocritical. I personally don't care if it's a man or a woman, but I'm not prudish and know he is just doing his job. What's more, my favourite gyn. was a male. But I can understand that some women feel uncomfortable being examined by a man.

I don't see why this should be seen as hypocritical, though. People who prefer to see a woman usually do it because they are not comfortable with a man (often the case with younger women, I would assume), not because they don't think he will be as good as a woman (although, if some women prefer a woman for that reason and are feminists, then that's hypocritical).

Answer 3

I've had both male and female, but this IS a matter of personal preference, and not "sexism." It is not "sexist" to prefer a doctor of one's own gender. If a male said, "I want to be examined by a male doctor" I would not think that was "sexist", but a reflection of their own comfort level with being examined by the opposite sex. Since you are an INDIVIDUAL consuming a product, you have the right to act on those personal preferences.
When it is a CORPORATION, or business, discriminating against a whole group of people, it is quite a different matter. "Wal-mart" is not a "consumer," they are a business, a major employer in the U.S. with INSTITUTIONALIZED gender (and racial) discrimination practices. That is an entirely different thing, and cannot be compared to a single individual consumer making a choice. Gimme a break.

The very first gyno exam I ever had, I went to a male. I was off to college, and my mom thought it was "time." Anyway, I went, went through the whole exam, no problems, and at the end, after I had gotten dressed and went to his office to talk to him, he made a "suggestion." He said "Make sure you always wear a good bra, you don't your breasts to sag later." (???!!)
WHAT, did that have to do with the HEALTH of my breasts, which should have been his only concern? The appearance of my breasts, now, or on down the road, was none of his concern.
Needless to say, this creeped me out a bit, and I've only seen women ever since. I realize, of course, that the vast majority of male gynecologists are not like that guy, but, still, I formed a "preference" after that "recommendation."

EDIT- Raj- Perhaps you do not understand the meaning, or implications, of "institutionalized discrimination." Perhaps some research is in order. In any event, an understanding of THAT concept is necessary for a real understanding of this particular topic. And no one is implying that the Human Resource Directors of Wal-mart aren't "human" (THAT'S a straw man if I ever saw one!), but they ARE NOT acting as individuals in performing their job, nor are their "personal preferences" to be taken into account, although their expertise and experience is. They are acting as representatives of a corporation, a "non-human" entity.

Answer 4

Why would it be considered hypocritical? A man can have all the training in the world, but he's never going to have personal experience to go along with his job experience. No, I'm not saying that men shouldn't be OB/GYN's(I don't care either way), I'm just pointing out why it would be more preferable for some women, and it doesn't make them hypocrites. Would it be hypocritical of a person to prefer a baby sitter or a teacher that has kids?

Calling a patient an "employer" is wrong and misleading. I am not the doctor's boss, I am going to them for a service, I can't tell them what to do beyond what they will do to/for me, and even than they will have limits on what they will/can do. So, since I'm not employing the doctor to work for me(just on me:P), it isn't the wrong kind of discrimination if I have a personal preference for what age, sex, religion, or nationality they are.

Answer 5

I never thought about that...but the only reason I prefer female gynecologist is just out of comfort. I would find it awkward to talk to a man about the gross goings-on in my vagina, and the other nasty details over there.
I've had a male gynecologist examine me before, and it wasn't that bad, but I still personally prefer a female gynecologist to examine me. Plus, it's much easier to talk to a female because they are the same as me, female. Females understand each other better than males understand females and vice versa. Same with males understanding males better than females can.

Answer 6

i could no longer care much less approximately that. i do no longer even blink at seeing a gynecologist it is yet another race, and that's somewhat unusual given the element of the rustic i'm from. they say that the main segregated places the place I lived became into church on Sunday morning--the 2nd maximum segregated place became into the clinical expert's workplace. yet all I cared approximately became into that my gynecologist wasn't additionally an obstetrician, so he rarely canceled appointments with me or became into somewhat late. It became into super. seems to me that a woman who insists on women individuals gynecologists won't be a feminist. If she have been, it does no longer rely.

Answer 7

I'm not sure what's so hard to understand about some women feeling more comfortable having a female, rather than a male stranger examining up in their vagina?

EDIT:

I guess you have to own a vagina to understand why it's uncomfortable to let a male stranger in there. A gynecologist touching your most intimate and private parts, while you're laying in a vulnerable position, cannot be compared to a gardener that cuts your grass. Cutting grass is slightly different than someone digging into your private parts.

Younger women often experience serious anxiety when they make their first gynecologist visit...it's a big deal to some women...so to say they are hypocrites to feel more comfortable with a female/motherly gynecologist rather than a male because she's a feminist, doesn't sound fair.

Feminists may practice hypocrisy in many cases and ways, but this is not one of them. To call a 15-year old girl who identifies with feminism, a hypocrite, because she doesn't want a male doctor touching her privates, is simply a cheap shot, with all due respect. I think it's insensitive, maybe because this is touching (no pun intended) issues involving young girls and their privates...and attempting to tell them how they "should" feel while being touched by a male versus female doctor. It's her body. It's her comfort level. Don't bring ideology into it.

EDIT II:
ksoileau: No it's not racist in all cases. It may be a matter of comfort level. When I was looking for a shrink for my cousin, I specifically looked for a Persian doctor who could identify with the cultural issues, with whom he would feel more comfortable. It's a matter of comfort level, has nothing to do with racism.

EDIT III:
LMAO@ the sex fairy and heart attack on the account of a woman's vagina LMAOLMAOLMAO!

EDIT IIII:
ksoileau: I frankly could care less about people's preferences in their private lives. Most of my friends are black and I almost went to a black college. This is not because I'm racist, but I identify and relate more to blacks, so what? I can have whatever preferences I want in my private life.

Also, some areas REQUIRE comfort. A therapist/patient relationship and the success of therapy is highly dependent on the comfort level of the patient and whether he can be identified with, related to. Opening up your legs and telling someone about your most intimiate physical problems, again, requires comfort.

I actually happen to have had almost all male gynecologist because I never had a preference, but those who do, certainly have the right to be respected for their choice without accusations of sexism.

Answer 8

It is and I do it anyhow. My reg doc is a male. I asked him if he would recommend a female Dr. for that part. He just laughed and said he gets that all the time and it's more about a patience preference.

The way I see it at a doctors office is they are all just parts of the human anatomy. Some humans have different anatomy and I prefere those ones with the same as me when they are working on that specific part.

Answer 9

Yeah, but it is a prejudice that most people understand.

We're all hypocritical in some way or other. And feminists are certainly no exception. There are situations in life where it simply makes sense to make exceptions.

However, this also means that a man can properly prefer to hire only men for services he purchases for himself (e.g. gardner, interior designer, painter, etc.) IF that is his personal preference, doing his private business.

(I have my preferences, but am kind of IST. So, no danger of hypocrisy).

I always decline when a female sales person offers to help me select or match suits / shirts / ties. Not only have they never worn them (and won't), but they seldom have a clue. At least they're friendly.

EDIT:

To clarify, certainly a young girl (or grown woman) might be uncomfortable in dealing with a man in what they feel is a sensitive situation, to Ms. Lioness' point.

That is her preference, based on comfort, and she should not be criticized for it. Likewise, people have other personal preferences that may seem illogical, unreasonable, or even prejudiced to someone else. Yet, that is their personal choice, and should not be criticized for them either.

Answer 10

I think the key word here is PREFER - and being a feminist (or not) has no real bearing on the larger issue...

The line is crossed when the DEMAND is made - by taking your personal OPINION, and ACTING on it. A good many of us think very "politically incorrect" thing ALL the time - it is VERY rare to find ANYONE who doesn't have SOME form of prejudice against one group or another...

So, YES - it IS hypocritical for a feminist to think this way - but the rest of us are JUST as guilty. It's only the slim minority that choose to VOICE this opinion that are in the wrong ;););)

Answer 11

Feminism is about equality of the genders...primarily in having equal opportunity. But women and men are not equal in body parts. There really isn't anything hypocritical in a woman wanting to be near another woman when it comes to examing her female parts.

It is somewhat similar to why we have separate locker rooms for men/women. Similar people with similar body parts.

I'm willing to bet a female gynecologist would be much better at being "gentle" in the exam as she is similarly equipped. For as much as a man can study female anatomy, he can't fully understand every single nerve ending.