Gender Inequality and Role-strained among Male Nursing Students in Selected Nursing Institution, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Gender discrimination remains problem in the world as a whole and unfortunately, nursing profession is not immune to this problem. Gender discrimination is rejection or restriction made on the basis of socially constructed gender roles which prevents a person from relishing full human rights. Role strain has been defined as when an individual is likely to experience tension in coping with the rations of dissenting roles. Role strain can occur when the men in nursing are observed by lecturers and peers to occupy a female role distinct with their masculine gender which may lead to diminishment of their individual contribution. Simple random sampling method was used to select nursing institutions that was included in the study and convenience sampling method was used to select the respondents that partook in the study. The study population is male nursing students from 200 level-500 level of the selected nursing institutions. A questionnaire including measures of gender role identity and perceived gender relevance of careers was administered to 205 male student nurses from three nursing institutions. The results showed that 32% of the respondents had not experienced gender bias during nursing school, whereas 68% reported gender bias from the lecturers and the nursing staff. This study has implications for nursing profession that address the current predicament in the nursing field caused by discrimination and social isolation that man face. Therefore, Nursing and Midwifery council of Nigeria should develop a strategic plan to addresses the eradication of discrimination and racism in and by the nursing profession.