6533b825fe1ef96bd1282985
RESEARCH PRODUCT
Gender and the gynecological examination: women's identities in doctors' narratives.
Justyna ZiółkowskaDariusz Galasińskisubject
Rite of passageDiscourse analysisPopulationSubject (philosophy)050109 social psychologyAnecdotes as TopicHealth personnelNursingMedicineHumans0501 psychology and cognitive sciencesNarrativeWomeneducationPhysical Examination060201 languages & linguisticseducation.field_of_studyPhysician-Patient Relationsbusiness.industryAside05 social sciencesPublic Health Environmental and Occupational HealthGender IdentityGender studies06 humanities and the artsGynecological ExaminationGynecology0602 languages and literatureFemalePolandbusinessdescription
The authors explore the constructions of gender in male doctors' narratives of gynecological examinations. Focusing on the ways in which gender identities are constructed in the stories of the medical encounter, they argue, first, that gender is more flexible during the visit with a gynecologist than has been suggested. Gendered identities are assumed and put aside as the interaction progresses, with its final stage—the pelvic examination—being constructed with gender removed. Second, they argue that undressing is invested with a special status during the examination. It is a gendered rite of passage between the two different ungendered subject positions of the doctor and the patient. They conclude that contrary to the assumptions in the literature on gynecological interactions, it is the genderization of undressing that is most conducive to securing the least face-threatening gynecological examination for the woman.
| year | journal | country | edition | language |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007-04-01 | Qualitative health research |