Poll: Preference is Discrimination?

[tkioz]

So I've been sick recently, nothing major, just an infection on my leg that's slowly but surely going away, and I had to go into hospital to get some IV antibiotics, anyway my question came about after I came out of the hospital I was yacking with some friends.

So I mentioned that I didn't really like my doctor in the hospital, a young woman doctor (younger then me, so strange), and they asked why, I said I don't care much for being treated by female doctors, I prefer male doctors.

At this point the two females around started laying into me calling me sexist, a bigot, etc. one even went so far as to ask if I was a racist as well.

Now at this point I tried to explain what I meant, and that I was most definitely not a racist or a sexist, I just had a personal preference to be treated by male doctors (and considering my GP's name is Humad El-Sheikh(sp?) I really don't think I've got an issue with people of other races) because I dislike being touched by strangers and it's easier for me to handle if it's a male. I don't make a big deal about it if that's the only option, but given the choice I'd rather a male doctor. I'm sure there are women out there that prefer female doctors.

At this point I was all but called a woman hater and I just decided to give up.

But it's been bugging me, is having a preference really being a bigot?

 

[Hazy]

While women are, I assume, trained to handle male patients, I can completely understand that it's a matter of comfort.

Having a preference doesn't make you a bigot - choosing to undercut/discriminate (however you dern' kids say it) others with opposing views does, which is something you didn't do.

In short: I see no wrong with what you've said.

 

[Cpt_Oblivious]

No, people just have weird preferences.
It'd be discrimination if you didn't want a woman doctor because "she should be in the kitchen".

 

[stok3r]

In that situation its totally okay to ask that. I would prefer to be treated my a male too, not cause I think males make better doctors, just cause I would prefer to be treated by someone of my sex.

Also those 2 other females are the sexist ones haha

/being a hypocrite

 

[Sakurazaki1023]

I see no problem with preferring males especially in a medical situation. If you're going to have someone fiddling with your body, then you would probably feel more comfortable with someone of the same gender.

 

[Serioli]

Absolute Black and White, preference is seen as discimination.

In that type of situation I'd use the phrase 'I'd be more comfortable with a male doctor'

I.e.
said - 'PREFER male doctor'
heard - 'because women are useless'

said - 'more comfortable with male'
heard - 'because I'm shy/sensitive/awkward with women EDIT in this situation'

It's crappy I know (essentially having to second guess a listeners internal dialogue) but it does get easier the more you do it. Still not perfect though

EDIT Also this ya' bigots!
http://www.sinfest.net/archive_page.php?comicID=3321

 

[Instant K4rma]

Having a preference of gender in situations like that is perfectly acceptable. As was said earlier, it removes the sexual tension from a rather uncomfortable situation. What you did was not sexist in the least.

 

[TheComedown]

Definitely not discrimination, its preference, and with good reason. As for those chicks, they are just way over sensitive to this kind of stuff, see it all the time, stupid little things getting blown out and taken the wrong way, to make it look like sexism is still around much more then it is, this is feminism at its worse.

 

[Sigel]

I do not think you are a bigot. I'm a woman and prefer to only have female doctors, cause I want to be seen by someone who knows what a f*cking cramp feels like and gets PMS. It is a level of shared understanding.

 

[Nooners]

Absolute Black and White, preference is seen as discimination.

In that type of situation I'd use the phrase 'I'd be more comfortable with a male doctor'

I.e.
said - 'PREFER male doctor'
heard - 'because women are useless'

said - 'more comfortable with male'
heard - 'because I'm shy/sensitive/awkward with women EDIT in this situation'

It's crappy I know (essentially having to second guess a listeners internal dialogue) but it does get easier the more you do it. Still not perfect though

Very well put. Unfortunately, using the wrong words in the wrong context can earn you a lot of unnecessary trouble.

 

[fix-the-spade]

At this point I was all but called a woman hater and I just decided to give up.

Perhaps you should ask them how they would react to being forced to see a male doctor for a gynecological problem.

When they pipe out how that's completely different and very personal ask them how their opinion is any different from yours. Or why your medical issues are any less personal. Or why a male doctor is any less capable than female. Or why males should not be allowed the choice that females demand.

You feel uncomfortable (or less comfortable) talking to a doctor of the opposite gender about important and deeply personal things, sounds pretty normal to me.

 

[Acier]

Technically it is discrimination, but discrimination doesn't automatically mean you're a bigot or jerk (despite what we're told).

You're not in the wrong, she was just over reacting. Jeez

 

[ChocoFace]

My family doctor has been a female all my life (im male) so i guess i'd feel weird if a male doctor were to check up on me.

 

[Layz92]

People may deny it but they just feel more comfortable under some circumstances. Those females would probably feel more comfortable with a female gynecologist... just putting it out there. People just feel more comfortable around doctors of their own gender. So no it is fine to have a preference.

 

[ArcWinter]

Why, yes, it is.

People need to get over themselves and realize that everything EVER is sexist, racist, prejudiced, and discriminatory.

Why? Because the sexes and "races" are different, and the only way to eliminate this would to make everyone the same. Which would be "lame", according to scientific consensus.

 

[Nigh Invulnerable]

I voted yes on the poll, just because I figured not many others would, but I do think those ladies who whined at you need to chill. I've had two surgeries for a varicosele (varicose vein in the groin) and was far more comfortable talking about it with male doctors/nurses than with females. I believe something about "shared experiences" was already mentioned.

 

[Audioave10]

Overeaction and oversensitivity - you were perfectly correct.
Some people just need to "get over it".

 

[JanatUrlich]

Yeah it is. You're treating someone differently because they're different to you.

That's pretty much the definition of discrimination I'm afraid.

 

[tkioz]

Yeah it is. You're treating someone differently because they're different to you.

Using that logic giving up my seat on public transport for a person with a disability so they could sit would be discrimination. If so, is it wrong?

 

[Tasachan]

I can't see a problem with it. ... I shudder at the thought of a male doctor. I know they're professionals, but I am really uncomfortable around men. Even using the stethoscope to listen to my chest makes me really antsy.