Gender sensitivity a sensitive issue
CMAJ 1997;157:640
Re: "Gender sensitivity in medical curricula" (CMAJ 1997;156:1297-1300 [full text / résumé]) by Barbara Zelek and associates
See response from: S. Phillips
I read this article with dismay, and I am concerned that there is a tendency for our prestigious journal to be involved in subject matter best reserved for newspapers. I am also concerned that the article was classified as educational. I hesitate to open a can of nonmedical worms but hasten to state that I am entirely sympathetic to the concerns of the authors, but not to their methodology. Simply stated, both genders should be treated equally, fairly and with respect in every way. However, promotion of the misuse of words and syntax destroys much of what is good by levelling everything in reaction to a history of gender inequality, which a decreasing minority of both sexes perceives to still exist.
If we need to alternate "men and women" with "women and men," we will need to do a count to ensure equal use. We will then be unable to concentrate on the merit of a medical article. What education! What syntax!
The principle of equality of the genders is unquestioned, and some suggestions in the article have merit. For example, if only the title Mr. is to be used for men, then Ms. should be used for women. Age and marital status are personal and irrelevant.
Leslie (Gender?) S. Glass, MD
North Vancouver, BC
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