Barriers to nursing profession Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Barriers to nursing profession - Research Paper Example This has inhibited the growth of nursing as knowledge based profession. Nursing is considered as a role that is permanently natural for women; single sex occupation. Therefore, it is identified as a profession that is deeply fixed in the society’s gender based power relations. Women established nursing; it fits the stereotypical ‘feminine’ picture with characteristics of gentleness, nurturing, and caring as opposed to the masculine traits of aggression, strength, and dominance (Giele, et al. 2003). These are the reasons as to why occupations that require these qualities are exclusively considered suited to women, they have gone further and labeled them ‘women work’. Strong stereotypical boundaries that concerns feminine and masculine behavior has been presented to men by the society. Men that dare to choose nursing as a career, face the danger of challenging the gender roles and stereotypes that are defined by the tradition. Economic, political, and social systems enhance these stereotypes. Men who choose careers viewed to be feminine like nursing are always discriminated against are always subject to criticism from the public. Some people have a difficulty of accepting the image of men as gentle, compassionate, and caring. Men fear challenging the stereotypical image of nursing in the society. These characteristics are not essential attribute in the social and biological of the sexes, they are just cultural constructs that are reinforced by the social activities that are associated with being female or male. Nursing image has traditionally been supported using symbols like the angle, sex symbol, doctor’s handmaiden, and, commonly, nurses as women. These pictures are based on women values and attributes, have been utilized by mass communication and interpersonal, strengthening the stereotypes of women being the nurses. This is also reinforced by excluding men in any