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Subject:Re: Politically Correct TechDoc From:Melissa Hunter-Kilmer <mhunterk -at- BNA -dot- COM> Date:Fri, 8 Dec 1995 09:07:34 EST
Does anybody out there write obstetric or pediatric texts? If so, please note
the following from the wife of a disgruntled former nursing student (now nurse).
Many obstetric texts refer to the mother as "she" and the medical practitioner
and baby as "he." While I will concede that all mothers are female :-), is
there anybody out there who feels that all doctors, nurses, midwives, and babies
are male? I can assure you that this is not the case. <vbg>
Ditto many peds texts -- mother = she, med. pract. & child = he _unless_ matters
specific to the sex of the patient are discussed.
If those of you out there who write such texts are careful to avoid sexism, I
commend you. However, I'm afraid my husband didn't study your books.
Melissa Hunter-Kilmer
mhunterk -at- bna -dot- com
(standard disclaimer)
On Wed, 6 Dec 1995, TRACY BOYINGTON <trlyboyi -at- GENESIS -dot- ODVTE -dot- STATE -dot- OK -dot- US> wrote:
> I think politically correct/gender neutral language is an important
> topic, but I was kind of disappointed in this particular way of
> presenting it. <snip>
> I'd rather get on a soapbox and talk about *my* pet
> peeves... such as nursing textbooks that refer to all nurses as "she" and all
> doctors as "he." (grrrrr...)
