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The role of women in the armed forces
The role of women in the armed forces
The role of women in the armed forces
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Women have fought alongside men in the United States Military in every major battle since the American Revolution. The roles of women in the military have evolved over time to allow the incorporation of women in expanding military career fields. Women have proven themselves to be an asset to the military despite some of society believing women would weaken America’s military effectiveness. Today more than 200,000 women are active-duty military, this is about 14.5% of all military. Currently, women are involved in all branches of the Armed Forces; there are around 74,000 women in the Army, 62,000 in the Air Force, 53,000 in the Navy, and 14,000 in the Marine Corps (By the numbers: Women in the U.S. Military). Military women continue to push for all fields to allow women to participate and advance their careers at the same rate as their fellow male soldiers. It is important for women to join the U.S. Military not only for life experiences and the honor of serving the country, but also to be a part of history with the progression of equality for equal opportunities for women in the United States Military.
Even though it wasn’t until the last two years of World War One that women were legally allowed to join the military, women have played a variety of roles in the history of America’s military. During the times of the Revolutionary War women would follow their husbands to war camps to serve as cooks and nurses as well as to fight alongside their spouse, for this reason many women became known as “camp followers” (Time Line: Women in the U.S. Military). During the Battle at Fort Washington Margaret Corbin went with her husband to the battlefield helping him perform his duty of loading his cannon. After her husband died in battle, C...
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...id F. “Women in Combat: Issues for Congress.” Congressional Research Service, 2012. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
Diece, Albrey. “Margaret Cochran Corbin (1751-1800).” National Women’s History Museum. NWHM, 2006. Web. 9 Nov. 2013
Raphel, Alexandra. “Women in the U.S. military and Combat Roles: Research Roundup.” Journalist’s Resource, 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
“A tribute to Our American Heros.” HubPages, 2011. Web. 9 Nov. 2011
“By the numbers: Women in the U.S. Military.” CNNU.S. CNN, 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013
“Military Readiness: Women Are Not a Problem.” Objective Analysis, Effective Solutions. RAND Corporation, 2010. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
“Restrictions on Assignments of Military Women: A Brief History.” National Women’s Law Center. NWLC, 2013. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
“Time Line: Women in the U.S. Military.” The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, 2008. Web. 9 Nov. 2013.
Within Megan H. Mackenzie’s essay, “Let Women Fight” she points out many facts about women serving in the U.S. military. She emphasizes the three central arguments that people have brought up about women fighting in the military. The arguments she states are that women cannot meet the physical requirements necessary to fight, they simply don’t belong in combat, and that their inclusion in fighting units would disrupt those units’ cohesion and battle readiness. The 1948 Women’s Armed Services Integration Act built a permanent corps of women in all the military departments, which was a big step forward at that time. Although there were many restrictions that were put on women, an increase of women in the U.S. armed forces happened during
When first examining the documentation it is difficult to comprehend whether women were being patronized or treated too delicately; the fact of the matter is the average treatment of women during this era was radically different from society’s attitude toward men. It is also evident women exploited stereotypes to their advantage. Larry G. Eggleston explains the particular viewpoint of American society in Women of the Civil War as “Women were held with respect even though they were considered to be the weaker sex. Many women broke away from society’s traditional view of women when the Civil War began” (1). To avoid detection agents often manipulated social stigmas. Traditionally, Men were expected to join their countrymen upon the battlefield and women were to remain at home attempting to keep order. Some women were equally effective from their posts at home, while acting as scouts for their respected causes.
Women in the US Military - Civil War Era. N.p., n.d. Web. 30 Apr. 2017.
With society’s past and present it is apparent that women are still not equal even if they have the title. Men are observably stronger and have a different mentality in situations than women. This is not to say that women should not be in the military but they should have the choice that way they can accept the responsibility and train themselves mentally and physically to achieve the responsibility and respect needed to fight for our country.
"From Home Front to Front Line." Women in War. Ed. Cecilia Lee and Paul Edward Strong. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. The Churchill Centre. Web. 23 Apr. 2014.
Since the resolution of World War II, the United States has been involved in over fifteen extensive military wars. Recent wars between Iraq and Afghanistan are being fought over several issues which affect women in both the United States and the other nations. While the military is often thought of a male dominated institution, women are present and affected all throughout the system as soldiers, caretakers, partners, and victims. Transnational feminists often fight against war due to the vulnerability that is placed on women during times of war. Despite often being overlooked, there is no doubt that women are heavily included in the devastating consequences of war.
Many women decided not to stay at home and, rather, accompany their husbands or male relatives with the army. They "traveled with the army to sew, nurse, and wash clothes (Volo 170)." Again the women did the dirty work to ensure the men were always relatively ready for battle. The women that traveled along provided cle...
"Update: Women in the Military." Issues and Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 29 May 2007. Web.
Many women joined the armed forces in order for the men to launch into combat. They women served as nurses, typists, clerks and mail sorters. Ther...
Becraft, Carolyn J. “ A Case for Women in Combat.” U.S Army Command and General Staff
The problem of women fighting in combat along with their male counterparts is not a one-sided problem. Elizabeth Hoisington has earned the rank of Brigadier General in the U.S. Army, leads the Women’s Army Corps and believes that women should not serve in combat because they are not as physically, mentally, or emotionally qualified as a male is and that ...
"Women in the Military Statistics." Statistic Brain. N.p., 04 Apr 2012. Web. 8 Dec 2013. .
Ruby, J. (2005, November 1). Women in Combat Roles: Is That the Question?. Off Our Backs,35, 36.
Both men and women fought on the battlefield. Hundreds of women served as nurses, laundresses, cooks and companions to the male soldiers in the Continental Army.6 In addition, there were some that actually engaged in battle. Seeing "no reason to believe that any consideration foreign to the purest patriotism,"7 Deborah Sampson put on men's clothing and called herself Robert Shirtliffe in order to enlist in the Army. "Robert Shirtliffe" fought courageously; "his" company defeated marauding Indians north of Ticonderoga.8 There is also the valiancy of the water carrier Mary Hays, otherwise known as Molly Pitcher, who took up arms after her husband fell.9 As a six-foot tall woman, Nancy Hart was considered an Amazon Warrior. Living in the Georgia frontier, this "War Woman" aimed and, with deadly accuracy, shot British soldiers who invaded the area.10 Mentioned in the beginning of this essay was Margaret Corbin, another woman on the battlefield.
Landers, Robert K. "Should women be allowed into combat?" Congressional Quarterly Inc. 13 Oct., Vol. 2, No. 14, pp. 570-582