The Quandary of Being a Male Nurse in India

Abstract

This paper critically examines the gendered dynamics of the nursing profession in India, focusing on the systemic under-representation of male nurses. Despite India’s acute shortage of healthcare workers—exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic—the nursing sector remains overwhelmingly feminised. This study interrogates the historical, sociocultural, and institutional factors that perpetuate the stigmatisation of male nurses, situating the analysis within feminist scholarship and labour market theories. Through a review of historical narratives, the paper traces how colonial and post-colonial discourses framed nursing as a “feminine” vocation, rooted in patriarchal norms and caste-based hierarchies. The analysis reveals how gendered stereotypes reinforced by media, policy, and societal expectations discourage male participation, despite the profession’s critical role in public health. Institutional barriers, such as gender-based quotas and wage disparities, further entrench these inequalities, while cultural perceptions associate nursing with failure or demasculinisation. The study also explores the lived experiences of male nurses, highlighting their struggles with stigma, workplace discrimination, and societal pressure to conform to hegemonic masculinity. By synthesising theoretical insights with empirical observations, this paper advocates for a reimagined understanding of care work, one that dismantles gendered hierarchies and promotes equitable participation.