從女性主義觀點談老年婦女相關的健康議題

A Discussion on Health Related Issues for Elderly Women from Feminist Perspectives

本文試從女性主義思維的觀點來探討老年婦女的健康議題。國、內外醫療體系，一向為男性主導，醫療政策的擬定，都深受男性觀點的影響，婦女的健康常被窄化成「三點式」，強調乳癌與子宮頸癌的防治；到了晚年又被歸納成「更年期」的話題。女性由於平均餘命的增加，所以晚年期成為婦女經歷一生中最長的一個時期；特別是對於獨居及喪偶的老年婦女而言。由於婦女常扮演照顧別人的角色，若非健康因素不輕易接受別人的照顧，所以對一個老年婦女而言，健康代表獨立，亦即生活可以自理，而生活自理就意味著自我尊嚴。三十世紀的女性主義，不但強調男女性別差異，也同時肯定女性自身的特質。了解女性主義思想，可以促使護理專業在認識論上更有價值和洞察力，有助於重新點燃「關懷」的概念。而與老年婦女作生活經驗的對話，可幫助她們的身心靈找到最安適的處境。由於多數護理人員是女性，關懷老年婦女健康，是護理人員義不容辭的責任。

This article attempts to explore health related issues for elderly women from feminist perspectives. As males predominantly lead the health care delivery systems and policy-making around the world, the systems and policy-making have been heavily centered on male perspectives. Women's health has often been narrowed down to three points, emphasizing prevention and treatment of breast cancer and cervix cancer, and the issue of menopause during old age. Because of women's life expectancy increasing, the old age becomes the longest period women go through in life, especially for singles and widowed. In general, women often play the role of care-givers, they do not easily take others' care if not for health reasons. To an elderly woman, being healthy means independence and self-management of daily life, and being capable of managing her own life connotes dignity. Twentieth-century feminism not only stresses gender differences, but also recognizes women's characteristics. Understanding feminist thought helps nursing professionals see the values of and to gain further insights on nursing epistemology, and to revitalize the concept of 'care.' Dialogues on life experiences with elderly women can assist them discover their most comfortable physical, psychological, and spiritual state. As the majority of nursing professionals are females, it is their indispensable responsibility to care for the elderly women and to advocate for elderly women's health.