Re: forced pap smear
From: Robin (anonymous@obgyn.net)
Sat, 12 Feb 2000 12:31:54 -0600 (CST)
Ani,
I would think that if this is something you don't want to do, then you
shouldn't have to do it. As for the legalities, I can't answer that,
but I am sure an attorney could.
There was a post on here just a couple of days ago that said that the
speculum more than likely would not break the hymen. It is much smaller
than a penis, for what I remember being said.
I personally have never had to have a pre employment exam, but I have
known others that have. From what I can recall, they did not have to
have a gynecological exam, BUT they were not going over seas, so that
could the the difference.
Good luck and I do hope you can get this straightened out and feel
comfortable about whatever the end result is. Please keep us posted.
--
Robin
At Fri, 11 Feb 2000, ani wrote:
>
>this is going to sound strange, but i am at a loss...
>i am an applicant for an overseas volunteer program and as part of their
>medical screening they 'require' a pap smear. they are adamant about
>this, but for various reasons i really, really do not want to submit to
>any sort of gynecological exam. i have argued with them on several
>occasions about the requirement but to no avail. while i understand the
>necessity of maintaining good health, and while i would definitely seek
>medical attention if i thought anything was wrong, i am healthy, rather
>young for any sort of cancer, and extremely protective of my personal
>boundaries. i don't feel that i should be forced to compromise my
>beliefs in order to be a volunteer, especially in a country where women
>have fought so hard to have the right to choose what happens in regards
>to their reproductive systems. so, two questions...
>1) one of the reasons i do not want to have a gyn exam is a carefully
>maintained virginity. everything is intact, not just physically but
>metaphysically as well. the organization's nurse informed me that a pap
>smear will not break the hymen, but i read a post here in which the
>person stated that the hymen definitely will break. what's the story?
>(and this doesn't even address the metaphysical implications of
>transcended boundaries, but there's not really much to be done about
>that, i guess)
>
>2) is it legal to require a pap smear as a prerequisite to employment?
>does it count as discrimination if, for example, a religious belief
>forbade penetration of any sort (as do buddhist precepts for nuns, which
>i have taken) and the organization still refused to allow me to go
>despite the fact that in all other ways i am a qualified volunteer?
>
>right now i have scheduled an appointment to have this done but i have
>had nightmares every night since i made the appointment, i can't eat,
>and i break out in a cold sweat every time i think about it. i do not
>otherwise have psychological problems, but this is extremely
>distressing. nothing equivalently intrusive is asked of male volunteers
>and it seems to me that to force someone to have a medical procedure
>done must have legal implications. i am not threatening legal action, i
>just want to know EXACTLY what my rights are in this situation.
>it's been one of my dreams to be an overseas volunteer since i was eight
>years old but i do not want to start the experience by compromising my
>own integrity. it would taint the entire thing. any information anyone
>can give me would be deeply appreciated.
>many thanks, and sorry this has been so long.
>-ani
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