Call for male midwives

[beensaidbefore]

Give the news today, that we have a severe shortage of midwives against a backdrop of increased births, why are we not hearing from the employment equality campaigners to have more men trained up. As it stands, only a tiny %age of midwives are male, is this a case of jobs for the women? I thought that wasn't allowed in this day and age?


😂 😉

[Scouse Hibee]

Give the news today, that we have a severe shortage of midwives against a backdrop of increased births, why are we not hearing from the employment equality campaigners to have more men trained up. As it stands, only a tiny %age of midwives are male, is this a case of jobs for the women? I thought that wasn't allowed in this day and age?


😂 😉

The same with Bra Fitting jobs, they only seem to employ women.

[Pretty Boy]

I think a lot of women will feel far more comfortable with a female midwife.

Personally speaking if I had a problem in the trouser department I'd be inclined to ask for a male doctor.

[Sir David Gray]

Personally speaking when it comes to anything medical, I couldn't care less what gender the person who helps me is, as long as they're qualified to do the job.

[Jay]

I think a lot of women will feel far more comfortable with a female midwife.

Personally speaking if I had a problem in the trouser department I'd be inclined to ask for a male doctor.

Believe me when your in labour you couldnt care if a bear wearing a bowler hat was delivering the baby, as long as something does :)

Id have had no issue with a male midwife, most of the docs were male. We also had a male health visitor.

[Danderhall Hibs]

I think a lot of women will feel far more comfortable with a female midwife.

Personally speaking if I had a problem in the trouser department I'd be inclined to ask for a male doctor.

That was my initial thought but then aren't there a lot more male gynaecologists?

[s.a.m]

Believe me when your in labour you couldnt care if a bear wearing a bowler hat was delivering the baby, as long as something does :)

Id have had no issue with a male midwife, most of the docs were male. We also had a male health visitor.

I'd have been fine with a male midwife too. Somehow, although childbirth is extraordinarily intimate, I think the fact that it's a medical professional in a medical situation kind of circumvents the awkwardness of the situation.


The same with Bra Fitting jobs, they only seem to employ women.

...which isn't the case with bra-fitting. :greengrin A male shop assistant fiddling with my chest WOULD make me uncomfortable (mind you, it's awkward whoever is doing it). For all that experienced bra-fitters are very impressively skilled at what they do, there aren't the same professional relationship / code of conduct / cultural expectations that there are in a patient / healthcare worker scenario. IMHO.

[Sir David Gray]

The same with Bra Fitting jobs, they only seem to employ women.

I personally think this blatant sex discrimination should be eliminated.

No place for that in our society.

Justice for the male bra fitters. :aok:

[beensaidbefore]

The same with Bra Fitting jobs, they only seem to employ women.

😂😂

[beensaidbefore]

I think a lot of women will feel far more comfortable with a female midwife.

Personally speaking if I had a problem in the trouser department I'd be inclined to ask for a male doctor.

I was only really kidding on. 😁

Fwiw, I agree with you?

[Hibrandenburg]

The same with Bra Fitting jobs, they only seem to employ women.

After my last visit to Porty Beach I'm surprised there's not more call for male bra fitters. :wink:

[hibsbollah]

One of the midwives on duty when my son was born was a bloke. It does happen.

[Hibbyradge]

Give the news today, that we have a severe shortage of midwives against a backdrop of increased births, why are we not hearing from the employment equality campaigners to have more men trained up. As it stands, only a tiny %age of midwives are male, is this a case of jobs for the women? I thought that wasn't allowed in this day and age?


😂 😉

Men are not stopped from being midwives although some parents prefer a woman.

I imagine that most men woukd prefer not to be at the business end of birth for a living and even the word "midwife" will be off-putting to many.

This is an interesting article about the subject.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/men/thinking-man/11202075/No-job-for-a-man-Meet-the-male-midwives.html

[Bristolhibby]

Had female midwifes with my two, but on both occasions when things got tricky, the male doctors and consultants were wheeled in.

First was male doctor, male consultant, male anethiest (epidural) and eventually a female surgeon (Cesarian).

Second was male doctor, female anethiest and male doctor (forceps).

My missus gave no thought at all to the gender. That said, the size of the consultants hands! Like shovels, had to ask for the XL gloves. 😱

J

[lord bunberry]

Why is it that they tend to remove all gender associations regarding job titles, but we still have midwives? Is a male midwife still called a midwife or is there another name for the role?

[s.a.m]

Why is it that they tend to remove all gender associations regarding job titles, but we still have midwives? Is a male midwife still called a midwife or is there another name for the role?

To be honest, I don't like the word anyway. I assume it harks back to ancient times, pre-modern medicine, when there would be local women experienced and (hopefully) skilled at helping women through labour. In France, they're called (I believe) sages-femmes (wise women), which has the same kind of ring to it. For some people, that kind of distancing from medicalised childbirth will be attractive: I'm no earth mother, and it's not for me.:greengrin I'd call them Obstetric Nurses or Practitioners, or something like that.

[beensaidbefore]

Why is it that they tend to remove all gender associations regarding job titles, but we still have midwives? Is a male midwife still called a midwife or is there another name for the role?


A pervert? lol

[lord bunberry]

To be honest, I don't like the word anyway. I assume it harks back to ancient times, pre-modern medicine, when there would be local women experienced and (hopefully) skilled at helping women through labour. In France, they're called (I believe) sages-femmes (wise women), which has the same kind of ring to it. For some people, that kind of distancing from medicalised childbirth will be attractive: I'm no earth mother, and it's not for me.:greengrin I'd call them Obstetric Nurses or Practitioners, or something like that.
I agree, it seems strange that they haven't changed the job title.

[bobbyhibs1983]

intresting thread and a few fab replies!!

If i recall there was a male midwife in only fools and horses and the guys wig fell off!

It does seem a bit sexiest when a small % are male i think the same goes for younger learning(nursery- early school) in regards gender equality.You hear about the ladies moaning(not all !) that they want more % at board room level type thing,but ntohign is said about younger learning roles-mid wifes.

Asfar as im concerned the only thing that should amtter is you are able to do the job

[Hibbyradge]

intresting thread and a few fab replies!!

If i recall there was a male midwife in only fools and horses and the guys wig fell off!

It does seem a bit sexiest when a small % are male i think the same goes for younger learning(nursery- early school) in regards gender equality.You hear about the ladies moaning(not all !) that they want more % at board room level type thing,but ntohign is said about younger learning roles-mid wifes.



There is a hige difference, though.

Women want to have more presence at board and CEO level. Men, it seems, do not want to be midwives etc.




Asfar as im concerned the only thing that should amtter is you are able to do the job

I agree with that.

[bobbyhibs1983]

There is a hige difference, though.

Women want to have more presence at board and CEO level. Men, it seems, do not want to be midwives etc.


I can sorta see what you are saying but how many men maybe have applied for midwifes postions and been turned away?

As for ladies wanting to be board/ceo postion, is it maybe they are not *AS* qulified as another candidite?
I do wonder IF this is the case- but if someone cant get experince in a postion how are they meant to be better?

[Hibbyradge]

I can sorta see what you are saying but how many men maybe have applied for midwifes postions and been turned away?

As for ladies wanting to be board/ceo postion, is it maybe they are not *AS* qulified as another candidite?
I do wonder IF this is the case- but if someone cant get experince in a postion how are they meant to be better?

I've never heard of a man being rejected for a midwifery job because of his gender.

Regarding women's qualifications for top jobs, I don't believe that 50% of the population are somehow coincidentally better or worse than the other half.

Out of the FTSE 100 companies, only 7 have women CEOs. 7% ffs.

Whether it's deliberate or not, there's a definite bias against women and I'm certain that some companies reject better women candidates as a result.

And it's not just in the boardroom. The film industry is another example where women are disadvantaged right across the sector e.g. only 7% of directors are women.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/variety.com/2015/film/news/women-hollywood-inequality-directors-behind-the-camera-1201626691/amp/?client=ms-android-samsung

http://www.wmm.com/resources/film_facts.shtml

[bobbyhibs1983]

thanks for the links hibby radge!very intresting

[calumhibee1]

I've never heard of a man being rejected for a midwifery job because of his gender.

Regarding women's qualifications for top jobs, I don't believe that 50% of the population are somehow coincidentally better or worse than the other half.

Out of the FTSE 100 companies, only 7 have women CEOs. 7% ffs.

Whether it's deliberate or not, there's a definite bias against women and I'm certain that some companies reject better women candidates as a result.

And it's not just in the boardroom. The film industry is another example where women are disadvantaged right across the sector e.g. only 7% of directors are women.

https://www.google.co.uk/amp/variety.com/2015/film/news/women-hollywood-inequality-directors-behind-the-camera-1201626691/amp/?client=ms-android-samsung

http://www.wmm.com/resources/film_facts.shtml

It needs to be kept in mind that men and women (generally) have different characteristics and are not like for like. While I'm not disagreeing that 7% is very low and we need to work towards increasing that figure, it's definitely not as simple as it should be a 50/50 split. In jobs where you're in charge of a FTSE 100 company I know what sort of attributes I'd want the CEO to have and it would generally be things that are more attributed to the male gender than female. If a female came along with these attributes and got the job then I have absolutely no problem with that, but I'd suggest that men are generally more suited to these kind of jobs IMO.

[Hibrandenburg]

It needs to be kept in mind that men and women (generally) have different characteristics and are not like for like. While I'm not disagreeing that 7% is very low and we need to work towards increasing that figure, it's definitely not as simple as it should be a 50/50 split. In jobs where you're in charge of a FTSE 100 company I know what sort of attributes I'd want the CEO to have and it would generally be things that are more attributed to the male gender than female. If a female came along with these attributes and got the job then I have absolutely no problem with that, but I'd suggest that men are generally more suited to these kind of jobs IMO.

Attributes are not gender specific, sure, some attributes are more likely to be found in one or the other gender but you'll still find them in both. FWIW I've been shot at and delivered at least 10 babies, the former being a doddle compared to the latter.

[calumhibee1]

Attributes are not gender specific, sure, some attributes are more likely to be found in one or the other gender but you'll still find them in both. FWIW I've been shot at and delivered at least 10 babies, the former being a doddle compared to the latter.

Yup I agree that you will find them in both genders. And while I'm sure 7% doesn't represent the female population capable of holding CEO jobs at FTSE 100 companies I would suggest that a fair representation of females with the attributes to hold they jobs would be a considerable bit short of 50%.

[CapitalGreen]

It needs to be kept in mind that men and women (generally) have different characteristics and are not like for like. While I'm not disagreeing that 7% is very low and we need to work towards increasing that figure, it's definitely not as simple as it should be a 50/50 split. In jobs where you're in charge of a FTSE 100 company I know what sort of attributes I'd want the CEO to have and it would generally be things that are more attributed to the male gender than female. If a female came along with these attributes and got the job then I have absolutely no problem with that, but I'd suggest that men are generally more suited to these kind of jobs IMO.

What are these required attributes that women are considerably less likely to possess then?

[Hibrandenburg]

Yup I agree that you will find them in both genders. And while I'm sure 7% doesn't represent the female population capable of holding CEO jobs at FTSE 100 companies I would suggest that a fair representation of females with the attributes to hold they jobs would be a considerable bit short of 50%.

Or........Maybe women would just prefer not to hold CEO jobs?

[calumhibee1]

What are these required attributes that women are considerably less likely to possess then?

Are you suggesting that men and women don't have different characteristics? Men are generally more confident, more assertive, more analytical, more strategic etc. Note that I'm saying generally. I know there will be exceptions to the rule, I know that there's probably more than 7% worth of exceptions to the rule.

[calumhibee1]

Or........Maybe women would just prefer not to hold CEO jobs?

So why the big song and dance about it? I would prefer not to be a lawyer.. so I don't go moaning about the fact I'm not a lawyer. If women would prefer not to be a CEO then why is there even a discussion about the amounts of women in CEO positions?

[s.a.m]

Yup I agree that you will find them in both genders. And while I'm sure 7% doesn't represent the female population capable of holding CEO jobs at FTSE 100 companies I would suggest that a fair representation of females with the attributes to hold they jobs would be a considerable bit short of 50%.

Even if we accept an over-simplified model of 'male' and 'female' personalities, it could be argued that the 'male' characteristics that our culture has valued in CEO's are a bit over-valued....
You could probably make a decent case that it was 'male' traits, such as confidence (to the point of hubris), aggressive risk-taking, lack of attention to detail - to name but a few - that brought down the banking sector.:dunno:
You might also say that the likes of Leanne Dempster and Ann Budge at the helm of Scottish football clubs are taking an approach that would have avoided the boom and bust model that endangered both of our clubs in the past.:dunno:
Just saying, likes.....

[marinello59]

So why the big song and dance about it? I would prefer not to be a lawyer.. so I don't go moaning about the fact I'm not a lawyer. If women would prefer not to be a CEO then why is there even a discussion about the amounts of women in CEO positions?

Possibly because we still have far too many cave men who think women don't have the ability to be a CEO just because of their gender. It beggars belief that ignorance like that still exists in 2017 but believe me, it does. That's why it needs discussing.

[Hibbyradge]

So why the big song and dance about it? I would prefer not to be a lawyer.. so I don't go moaning about the fact I'm not a lawyer. If women would prefer not to be a CEO then why is there even a discussion about the amounts of women in CEO positions?

If men were being excluded from being Lawyers because of their gender, I'm sure you would realise that it was wrong and unfair, regardless of your personal ambition.

In any case, many women would love to be CEOs, but aren't given the opportunity.

[Steve-O]

To be honest, I don't like the word anyway. I assume it harks back to ancient times, pre-modern medicine, when there would be local women experienced and (hopefully) skilled at helping women through labour. In France, they're called (I believe) sages-femmes (wise women), which has the same kind of ring to it. For some people, that kind of distancing from medicalised childbirth will be attractive: I'm no earth mother, and it's not for me.:greengrin I'd call them Obstetric Nurses or Practitioners, or something like that.

They are midwives in NZ too but are also known as Lead Maternity Carers.

[calumhibee1]

If men were being excluded from being Lawyers because of their gender, I'm sure you would realise that it was wrong and unfair, regardless of your personal ambition.

In any case, many women would love to be CEOs, but aren't given the opportunity.

But women aren't excluded from being CEOs? I've never in my life seen an example of a woman being excluded from a job because of their gender. They may be excluded by their skill set, but then some males would also be excluded by that.

[RyeSloan]

But women aren't excluded from being CEOs? I've never in my life seen an example of a woman being excluded from a job because of their gender. They may be excluded by their skill set, but then some males would also be excluded by that.

Women are not excluded but it's pretty naive to think that gender discrimination in the boardroom doesn't still exist.

Anyway there are a lot of studies that show companies with a significant female presence in senior management tend to perform better than those that don't.

The reason it appears is they display the exact opposites of the characteristics you (at least I think it was you) quoted as being desirable for a CEO. These traits it would appear are actually better for the long term growth of companies than the ones displayed by their male counterparts. Clearly all of this is at a general / aggregated level.

https://qz.com/612086/huge-study-find-that-companies-with-more-women-leaders-are-more-profitable/

[Hibbyradge]

But women aren't excluded from being CEOs? I've never in my life seen an example of a woman being excluded from a job because of their gender. They may be excluded by their skill set, but then some males would also be excluded by that.

That's like saying there were just no catholics good enough to play for Rangers. It wasn't bigotry, just a skill set issue.

Of course good candidates are overlooked because they're women. Your own words suggest that if you had the choice between a man and a womam, you'd be inclined to prefer the man.

And that's the point. It might not be blatantly illegal, but it's real bias.

[CapitalGreen]

But women aren't excluded from being CEOs? I've never in my life seen an example of a woman being excluded from a job because of their gender. They may be excluded by their skill set, but then some males would also be excluded by that.

How often are you involved in the hiring of people for high level boardroom positions?

[HappyAsHellas]

Back to the topic of midwifes, I remember at my daughters birth it was mostly women but there was one guy who flitted in and out during proceedings. I don't think it matters much either way as everyone has their hand in there except the father. I distinctly remember as the moment came upon us stretching over the crowd in a Tantalisian fashion and saying "gies a feel, gies a feel"............

[Colr]

How often are you involved in the hiring of people for high level boardroom positions?

Idn't it funny how the focus of the debate is boardroom appointments and not discrimination or, more importantly, lack of opportunityexperienced by working class women.

I kind of feel the issue is focused around middle class entitled women who can shout the loadest.