Is Surgery for Men and Pediatrics for Women? Gender Segregation, Agency and Structure in Italian Medical Schools

Despite the increasing feminization of the medical profession, gender segregation remains deeply embedded within medical specializations. Certain fields are still considered more suitable for women, particularly those associated with care, while others maintain a male-dominated status. This horizontal segregation shapes the career paths of male and female doctors, reinforcing traditional gender roles and expectations. The proposed paper focuses on the Italian context to investigate the educational and professional processes that contribute to this division.

Building on existing literature, the study highlights how medical specializations continue to be gendered, with women disproportionately drawn towards specialties associated with care work (such as pediatrics or obstetrics and gynecology), while men dominate more technical or prestigious fields (such as surgery or cardiology). This gendered orientation also manifests within specialties, where certain activities or sub-specialties are perceived as more appropriate for women, reinforcing stereotypes around emotional labor and caregiving.

The research draws on a mixed-methods approach, combining survey data from final-year medical students with 40 in-depth interviews conducted with male and female medical residents in traditionally male- and female-dominated specialties. The survey explores students’ expectations regarding their future careers, shedding light on the early formation of gendered preferences and aspirations. The interviews with residents provide a deeper understanding of the socialization processes within medical residency programs, revealing how informal norms, mentorship, and professional expectations contribute to shaping career choices along gendered lines. Empirical research shows that medical training not only reflects but also reproduces gender inequalities, with implications for both the professional identities of healthcare workers and the broader structure of the medical field.