Sir, - Rachael Stanley's letter of March 29th left me somewhat bemused. She suggested that male supremacy was alive and kicking because her own nine-year-old son mistook a female doctor as a nurse when taken to Tallaght hospital. The fact that the attending doctor was female is, in itself, evidence that women are actively involved in previously all-male professions.
In the medical and other mainly male professions such as engineering, the question should be asked: what ratio of suitably qualified female applicants have sought work, and what was the ratio of female to male acceptance, both by the university and applicants? Sadly, the answer will be that the applicants where mainly male. This is not male supremacy at work - but could it be female apathy at work?
Perhaps Ms Stanley should regard her son's comments as a parenting issue! - Yours, etc.,
Alan McGivergan, Fairways, Donabate, Co Dublin,.