Sociology 180 – Introduction to Sociology
Portage Learning
Exam essays (module 8)
In the video, Gender Differences, it communicates the message of the evident distinctions, between the males and female sexes. Women and men are born predisposed of certain qualities that they possess, as well as qualities that are influenced by society. Many of this we will compare to the profession of the healthcare fields.
In the video, it states that each sex mediates with the world differently. The way men and women see themselves, others, and the world contain quite considerable differences. For example, the video states that “we teach boys to be more assertive” whereas for girls, “we teach politeness as well as to please others.” Girls tend to have a more nurturing side and raised to be more sensible. Boys are brought up to be tough and very self-assured. I work at a Dermatologist office, and I would have to agree on this concept, based on my observations. For example, we tend to see women more than men that come in, because they are more proactive about managing their health, and are keener to spotting skin cancers before men. In fact, from my personal experience, female patients complain a lot less than the male patients. For instance, we see female patients that come in with eczema. They will come in and languidly describe to the doctor and nurse that the eczema is red, and just a little itchy but tolerable. On the other hand, if males come in with the same problem, they are more aggressive in how they describe their symptoms. They would complain that their eczema is so red, and it would be so itchy it would keep them up at night, and it is making them miserable. There is a considerable and noticeable difference in the way males and females portray themselves. This theory is important to apply when working in a profession such as the health care industry, because as caretakers for patients, we need to understand the minds of the way females and males think. As the video states, in a study of a newborn nursery, girls have more heightened sense of hearing “7 times more sensitive than boys.” This is another important fact to take into account in the healthcare field, in how we vocally communicate ourselves to our patients as well, especially men. Not every person is the same, especially in the way we think as this could be an influence of our sex and the way we were raised. But nonetheless, in order to properly place ourselves in their shoes, as patient advocates, we need to be able to feel what they feel, even if we don’t think it is a big deal, it could be a bigger deal for someone else.
It is daunting to see that in the world of healthcare, there is still a bias against gender differences. Patients seem to favor women over men, as in my experience from what both male and female patients have told me, that they would prefer women over men to take care of them as they feel more “comfortable.” Maybe it is the nurturing side of women that patients who are in their most vulnerable moments crave, as they need that type of feeling especially in a healthcare facility which at most times seem intimidating. Another point that the video makes, is that girls tend to consider themselves more often as “nice,” and boys consider themselves to be more “talented.” It could be that natural humanist; altruistic nature females seem to instinctively have, as they are more often communicating through this “connection lens.” However, I feel patients should be willing to accept that even though there are gender differences, that the care given shouldn’t be any different whether it be a male or female caretaker, and that hopefully one day this realization will come to light.
Differences in social class has a relevant impact in the healthcare field. In the blog, Social Class on Campus, it speaks of the myth that “we are all middle class.” It is unhealthy to assume that all patients we see are at arm’s length to easily obtain resources for medical care. Nor do they all have the educational capabilities to understand the importance of healthcare prevention or treatment. We need to understand as healthcare providers, that we will see different types of people, with different educational backgrounds, income, etc. Who would walk through those medical doors, and we cannot choose to be blind by the fact, that the world we live in is diverse on many aspects of social status. The education we provide to our patients as nurses to the decisions we help make, as well as the treatments we provide, all need to conform to their level of understanding. Now, this does not mean that we should withhold information from people if we think they would not have the financial means be able to afford a certain treatment, but we need to help aid in the decision-making process and actively seek resources that will help our patient’s benefit. One question the blog asks, is “if the children from wealthy families are no more intelligent than the children from poor families why is it that children from poor families do worse in school, in general, than children from wealthy families?” No matter what social position our patients stand, we need to treat all with unbiased, equality. We need to look at the bigger picture and view the “larger realities” on the position each person is in and how they got to be where they are, without judging anyone’s circumstance too hastily. We are all humans who live and breathe the same air, and so as healthcare providers it is an obligation to promote dignity, and to ethically perform our righteous duties to wholly provide for those seeking our care.
In the video Race the Power of an Illusion, stated that people have this “idea that somewhere written in stone that there are these fundamental differences between human beings.” It is disheartening to see that these “differences” within the human race in our society today are still present. Whatever racial differences each individual who walk through those medical doors have, working in the healthcare profession, we need to set these personal prejudices aside (if one may have), as well as maintain sensitivity and respect for those of different cultures. In the video, it said that Thomas Jefferson stated that “we are all equal.” But this “whole business of inalienable rights only applies to certain people.” As a nation, and most importantly as healthcare providers, our main focus is preserving the life of everyone, not just “certain people.” We need to be aware of the different cultures and an understanding of the different ways we approach each patient.
For example, take the Amish culture. Amish people do not like to be seen by any healthcare provider who is in “training,” because the Amish people rarely seek medical attention, but if they do, it would be considered an emergency, and so they would rather see someone who was in a way, more experienced. As healthcare providers, we also need to be aware that the Amish people prefer to be addressed on a “first name basis” (clevelandclinic.com), and when speaking to the Amish, to speak in simple terms understandable for them to comprehend. This is just an example that we, as healthcare providers need to uphold the consideration and be aware of the diversity within our culture, and one of the ethical duties as nurses is to provide Justice as well as Fidelity. One of our roles as nurses is to avoid harm (non-maleficence) and this act doesn’t apply for only select individuals who you feel deserve it, but to all, as the “lens” we use to see our world during the times of slavery, are no longer.
In psychologist Philip Zimardo’s speech, he stated that “there is an increase in shyness among males, the social awkwardness where they don’t know the language of face contact,” and that they prefer “male bonding over female mating.” Applied to the healthcare setting, this would be beneficial to know how to respond and address to males in healthcare settings if male patients seem a little “awkward” in expressing their symptoms or other health concerns. In my personal experience working in my dermatology practice, males are obviously more comfortable in terms of speaking out about any private issues that could be embarrassing to a man than to a female physician per say. Zimbardo suggests “porning as arousal addictions,” and believe it or not, porn is actually considered a “public health crisis” according to Thehealthcareblog.com. It can disrupt the cognitive state as well as the “normal sexual development of young teen boys and girls.” So, if one may consider pornography to be a type of entertainment, healthcare professionals should consider the possibilities of the effects this “activity” has on the physical ailments on the human system. It is important to know that males are “5 times more likely to have ADHD.” This fact stands true, and this is because boys are more likely to show symptoms of hyperactivity than females (Jacobson, 2014). This fact is important in the healthcare field, as healthcare providers need to be aware of the differences of the normal or abnormal developments within a child.
References
Treating the amish and addressing their healthcare concerns a practical guide for healthcare providers. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved from http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/1700/1783.asp?index=6955&src=newsp.
Is pornography creating a public health crisis? The Health Care Blog. Retrieved from http://thehealthcareblog.com/blog/2016/04/21/is-pornography-creating-a-public-health-crisis/
Jacobson, R. (2014). ADHD in boys: what you need to know. Understood for Learning and Attention issues. Retrieved from https://www.understood.org/en/learning-attention-issues/child-learning-disabilities/add-adhd/adhd-in-boys