Women in medicine: two points of view. II. Medicine and motherhood

IN THE preceding COMMENTARY, Dr Dimond makes two cogent points: (1) that discrimination directed against women entering medical education has ended and (2) that a major task before women physicians is to solve career-family conflicts. He suggests that women should learn how to delegate tasks in a "professional household." Most women physicians will agree with him. Dr Dimond is correct when he says that the major battle has been won. The system has responded, perhaps as rapidly as any system in history. Not only are women entering medical school in unprecedented numbers, but complaints of sexism have greatly diminished. Although many schools have women's support groups, the sheer numbers of women make it possible for women not only tobein medical school, but to feel comfortable there. Women are beginning to be accepted even in those residency programs once thought to be "for men only." There is also slow