First I would like to disagree that it's just one of things about working with the public. Sexism is not acceptable in any situation. Nor is racism, ageism or any other discrimination. Just because it's "innocuous" and has not affected me particularly negatively does not make it less of an issue. We need to fight discrimination from all angles, not just when it is truly affecting people. And who's to say that people less stubborn or accustomed would find it innocuous?

I agree that it is part of a supervisor's role to discuss the negatives of their specialty, and actually I take very little issue with the way the phrased their advice.

Their advice however does indicate that there very much is an issue within the NHS, more commonly affecting women, in that it does not allow for wanting to have children/family/work-life balance. It is exceedingly difficult to get permission for time out of programme and working as less than full time in all specialties, not just EM, and the most common reason for requests is so that you can have children and look after them when your maternity (and paternity) leave ends. As a consultant you have far more leverage and can find a new post relatively easily if it comes to it, but trainees (who are mostly 23-38ish) are far more vulnerable - they can be denied time out and if they choose to leave their programme there is no guarantee they would be able to rejoin at the same stage or deanery, let alone the same hospital. It is unfortunately even more of an issue in EM due to staffing shortages at every single level.

TL;DR: Discrimination by members of the public is just as bad. The NHS has dug a hole which is currently affecting women >>>> men. Some women do give up their career just so that they can have kids and actually see them because they are not able to go part-time.