Patriarchal Norms In Health Care

408 Words2 Pages
I have had a negative experience in the healthcare system because of my gender, it is a personal story but based on the subject I feel like I can share, I received my first routine pap smear when I was 17, I had a lot of anxiety about it and I was very tense and nervous as most women are for their first pap smear. My OBGYN at the time who was a middle aged man literally said in response to my nervousness “I hope you do not act like this during intercourse” I was so stunned and embarrassed I didn’t know what to say to his rude comment. Because of that experience I only go to female providers now especially for my feminine health, looking back as an adult I wish I would have told him off and reported him for his comment. Patriarchal norms constitutes