The age-old battle of the sexes was discussed last night as part of Diversity Days, but it was a discussion that sparked little student interest.
University alumnus Susan Peterman, currently a radiologist at Emory University, discussed her experiences with "Gender Issues" during the second day of the weeklong event.
Outside of the Angell Hall auditorium, Michigan Initiative for Women's Health and the Jewish Feminist Group passed out gender-related information as just 12 students gathered inside for Peterman's lecture.
Peterman divided her life into phases to illustrate how she has coped with gender issues.
She said that when she was pregnant, she had to leave her radiology residency.
"I was failing as a mother and I was failing as a resident," she said.
During her hourlong lecture, Peterman said businesses need to value differences in male and female workers.
"In the past, just the masculine has been valued and feminine has been devalued as we enter the work force," Peterman said.
Peterman also discussed issues of power and control in society. She told students that the world seems unfair when you lack power.
"I was born female in a male world," Peterman said. "If the world is run by a certain kind of people, then you are bound to feel like you are lacking somehow and no matter how hard you try, you can't make it."
Some of the students who attended the lecture said they were concerned about how gender issues would affect them in the future.
Public Health first-year graduate student Andy Timleck said his concern arose out of future health care issues.
"Part of my focus has been on gay and lesbian health promotions. There (are) issues that come out of the gender of gay men and lesbians," Timleck said. "For example, if gay men are (seen as) feminine and if society values a male ethic of health, then overall their health issues may not be valued as much."
Other members of the audience questioned whether the medical profession has changed for women since Peterman's entrance in 1980.
LSA first-year student Payel Gupta said she would have to check current enrollment ratios before agreeing with Peterman.
"I kind of feel like I'm on the outside looking in," Gupta said. "I would have to look at Inteflex and the number of women to men ratio."
Gupta also said she felt the medical profession was more difficult to enter for women then for men.
"I think we have more to worry about because we are able to get pregnant and guys can't," Gupta said.
Peterman advised women entering the medical field to seek a support system.
"Find support - be it from other students, from family or from friends," Peterman said. "Find support in being who (you) are."