The evaluation of men introduced in midwifery in the United Kingdom: A gender perspective

Abstract

AbstractTo explore the role of pilot tests in developing gender policies, this study investigates their use of policy‐making for the introduction of male midwives in the United Kingdom. A literature review was performed, and data that contradicted the statements of researchers studying male midwives or male midwives who had participated in the pilots were excluded. Any uncertainties were clarified through consultation with nursing and midwifery associations. The United Kingdom's Midwives Act 1902 initially restricted midwifery to women. However, the Sex Discrimination Act 1973 debates led to the consideration of introducing male midwives. While professional associations resisted, public bodies supported it, on the condition that it guaranteed women's right to select the gender of their attendant midwives. The government decided to conduct pilots to assess the acceptability of male midwives and the financial implications of having chaperones with male midwives. Despite pressure from the European Commission, the decision to permit male midwives across the United Kingdom, made in 1984, was withheld until the results of the pilots were available. However, substantive gender equality issues, such as the working conditions for male midwives, remain largely unexplored. To ensure gender inclusivity in midwifery, scientific pilot tests focusing on both formative and substantive equality are recommended.