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Why do men become gynecologists? It seems like a woman's only profession.
Up until 30 years ago, most doctors were men, so most gynecologists were men. However, since
women's lib in the 1970s, although most new gynecologists are women.
That's major progress in a single generation.
Not really. Babies used to be delivered at home by a midwife for thousands of years until
male doctors started saying that women couldn't really do what they'd been doing for eons
as well as a doctor.
And then we had doctors who lectured women on why they shouldn't get pain relief during
pregnancy because the Bible said.
That stopped when Queen Victoria said she wanted ether or another anesthesia during
labor and no one was allowed to deny that to her. And then other women said I want what
the Queen had.
Having a male doctor does sound better than having a midwife.
Not in the 1800s when the guys took over the profession. They didn't believe you needed
to wash your hands, so a woman was more likely to die of childbirth fever in a hospital than
at home where only the midwife and family were.
Why did men want to take over childbirth?
A study of midwives in the 1700s found that they were the best paid women at the time.
Women and their families would pay well to minimize pain and complications.
And reduce the odds of mother or child dying.
That's true. Barring disease, childbirth was one of the leading causes of death for young
women.
So why do they become gynecologists now?
Gynecology is still a high paying profession. Unlike cosmetic surgery or dermatology, there
are always babies born.
The birth rate is down since the 2008 Great Recession started, though I don't think it
ever ended.
There are also hysterectomies of women with various conditions, treatments of STDs and
other issues that go on throughout a lifetime.
And patients who will pay for it.
Money is sufficient motivation for any man to do anything.