Page 11 - HCMA March April

Executive Director’s Desk (continued)
concern regarding possible meritless lawsuits?
In addition, being gender-neutral is not something that will be easily accepted by other children who are not experienced with the concept and can’t comprehend or understand it. It’s dif- ficult for me to believe that this way of upbringing will not affect a child socially. People already get nervous with the unfamiliar. Children are more likely to act out their nervousness by teasing, bullying, or worse. It happens now for a variety of reasons, other than the one discussed in this column, and the effects are danger- ous. There is already a strong link between bullying and suicide as suggested by the recent bullying-related suicides by children and teens in the U.S. and other countries.
Many experts feel parents raising their children in this manner are forcing their own ideas on them and their children are being used as guinea pigs in a social experiment. It is felt that the po- tential for harm to children when parents refuse to acknowledge the biological reality of their sex, and to raise them in denial of that reality, is great. A person’s gender can be changed or adopted later in life, when they are adults and know what they want to be.
What should be taught early in life is kindness, honesty, gratitude, and respect for others. Education and manners are far more vital lessons to be taught to our children than gender-neutrality.
Another consequence of gender-neutrality is the disappear- ance of traditions which have been around since the beginning of time. Femininity and masculinity have been recognized for centuries, and gender-neutrality is shaking these core principles of gender the rest of the world is accustomed to. Gender equal- ity (which I certainly support) does not mean gender-neutral and the bottom line is that people cannot alter reality to the way they want it to be. Or can they?
Celebrating the differences between male and female is what makes us human. One can only hope that, without diminishing the rights and feelings of those who do not want to be seen as either, the future will not consist of using our most vulnerable to promote an unhealthy and damaging gender ideology.
BECOME AN HCMA MEDICAL STUDENT MENTOR
In-Office Mentor
Allow medical students to shadow you in your of- fice. The frequency and number of students is up to your discretion.
Membership Dinner Mentor
Escort up to three medical students during the social hour of an HCMA membership dinner and invite them to sit with you and your colleagues during dinner. Medical students are eager to learn and receive guidance from practicing physicians regarding the medical environment.
Call the HCMA to sign up: 813.253.0471 Thank you for your consideration!
Editor’s Page (continued from page 8)
I guess I shouldn’t worry about this anymore. I was taken care of and fortunate enough to have insurance coverage, with very little out of my pocket. But I do care; I guess it’s in my blood. I hope someone can fix what’s broken. In the meantime, I should pay attention to another of Osler’s quotes: “The young doctor should look about early for an avocation, a pastime that will take him away from patients, pills, and potions...”
Now where’s my camera?
HCMA BULLETIN, Vol 64, No. 6 – March/April 2019
11