[W Forum] Beyond Gender Conflict to Authentic Selfhood

At that time, I was a senior in medical school. Suddenly, the professor in charge of education announced the internship recruitment guidelines for the next year, stating that selection would be made by applying the same ratio separately for women and men based on the overall competition rate. Female students made up about 10% of the total class, and throughout the six years of our studies, we had constantly heard concerns that there were too many women and that our medical school might soon become a "00 Women’s Medical School." Looking back now, 10% seems insignificant, but at that time, only one or two female students were admitted each year, or sometimes none at all, so having that many was simply surprising. However, this time felt different, so we elected a representative to go for a meeting. When our female student representatives asked why, the answer was that if selection was based on grades, most female students would pass, which would inevitably block the future of men who had to support their families. It was just a wall. A thick, high wall that did not budge no matter how much we knocked on it, a wall that brought despair.

We made a plan. Although the number was small, we decided to visit and get signatures from female senior doctors who were active as mid-career professionals in society. Excluding those working abroad in the U.S., Canada, and other countries, there were only about ten, but the seniors not only signed but also gave tremendous encouragement. Thanks to that, all the female students in our class were able to work as interns at our alma mater’s affiliated hospital the following year.

Despite this small success achieved before stepping into society, I often overlooked or failed to respond to the various prejudices and problems faced by women in the medical profession afterward. I believed it was because I was too busy, but perhaps it was also because I was not fully conscious of it and feared future disadvantages.

In South Korean society, which is rife with gender inequality and prejudice, there was a moment in my thirties, when I was quite sharp-minded, that I suddenly realized "Men can also struggle in a patriarchal society," and this awakening came through my husband. From his youth, my husband was always spirited, decisive, and could be considered the epitome of "masculinity." Watching him take a long, difficult route to solve problems that could have been easily resolved if he had asked for help made me realize how heavy that burden was. I also sensed the pressure he felt as the head of the family, always expected to have the right answers and lead the family.

Now, decades later, our society is no longer unfamiliar with the word gender equality, and it is not considered strange for men to shed tears, so it seems there has been much change and progress. Nevertheless, a glass ceiling still exists for women. Even in the medical profession, which is relatively less disadvantaged, women still lag behind in promotions, are excluded from leadership groups, and constitute a significant portion of victims of sexual harassment and sexual violence within schools and medical institutions. Various policies and systems are still needed to correct the long-standing tilted playing field for equity, not just simple equality between men and women.

One positive change in recent three to four years is the growing voice of women in our society, but it is surprising that young men and women have come to see each other as opposing groups. Problems arising from social change are natural, but I suspect that the older generation and political forces may be inciting men, who feel disadvantaged or harmed by the relatively louder voices of women, to become discouraged. I believe gender equality policies still need to intervene socially and organizationally to provide equity. However, under the pretext of intervention, let us not incite conflict or divide people into extremes that foster mutual hatred. I hope the direction is set correctly so that no one feels unfairly treated and a consensus can be reached. True gender equality aims for both women and men to live with their own individuality, free from stereotypes of femininity or masculinity, so that both can enjoy a happy life together.

Baek Hyun-wook, President of the Korean Women Doctors Association

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.