I was a carpenter for many years, and I agree. In particular, I noticed that working on a smaller crew entailed much less of this than on a larger crew. A group of 30-40 people just seems more likely to include more jerks. When I decided to become a nurse, I often heard that I would have to be in touch with my "feminine" side. I was interested in one of the posts that suggested it may be easier for men to adopt the roles of the opposite gender. That seems plausible-ish. Still, I see the women around me routinely exhibit the qualities we're taught to think of as "masculine." Cool under pressure, decisive, objective, logical... I also find it interesting that the original "disgusted male nurse" claimed 1.5 years of experience. I've been a nurse for 15. I can still recall, if I think about it, how hard the first few years as a nurse were. Part way through my first year, a more experienced nurse remarked that it takes about 5 years to get comfortable. At the time, I was bummed--I'd hoped the end of the first year would be some magical milestone--but in retrospect, she was right. I guess I was lucky to have had much help and support through those early years, but even so, it did seem pretty bleak, at times. When you're struggling, every negative seems exaggerated. I've also had the experience of returning to work after a year on disability. Hardest thing I've ever done, and there's no way I could have done it alone. I was mentored by people I had mentored, helped and encouraged by old friends, and helped and encouraged by new nurses hired while I was off, for no other reason than they were good people. If nursing has a problem with lack of teamwork, well, I just haven't seen it. Maybe the tv commercials are right, and my testosterone levels have declined as I've aged. (OK, I know from Physiology that's true.) These days, I am a lot less certain what "masculine" and "feminine" even mean. There are differences, and those differences are interesting, but relatively minor compared to what we have in common as human. Most of the people I work with now are not only women, but Millenials. Stereotypes are dumb.
