According to Dictionary, “Feminism [is]: the doctrine advocating social, political, and all other rights of women equal to those of men.” Throughout history, women have fought the traditional viewpoints of the roles of women and have pushed past an abounding amount of boundaries. However, one blistering topic that is still being fought over today is, if women should be allowed in every aspect of the military. Since being allowed to join the military during World War 1, females have progressed through the ranks until being forced to stop when it comes to joining the elite groups of every branch. The controversial question that many military women face is, “If they wish to join these elite groups and meet the qualifications, why should we stop
Many studies have been conducted to see the effect women have on a unit as they have integrated over the years, and in turn these studies have been used to explain how the Army as a whole could overcome the problems of effective cohesion that are bound to happen within the Direct Combat units. Through the results of these studies, social scientists agree that “introducing women into ground combat units would immediately erode those units’ social cohesion” which is not a good combination for certain missions as “in the military, the intimacy and isolation of combat demand high social cohesion” (Wojack). These scientists go on to say that if there is even “high social cohesion” it could also affect routine outcomes as “people start to prioritize friendship and social activities over preforming their jobs”
This is due to the fact that there are actually very few women who question why they are not allowed in these combat units. One woman remarks that, “I certainly wouldn’t want to be in the infantry. A normal woman can’t carry a rucksack that the guys can... And, let’s face it, we would probably make things harder on everybody all around. No Way” (Moskos). This woman states from personal experience, that women are probably not a good fit for the infantry for several different reasons and there are not many women who disagree. Women make up fourteen percent of all soldiers, and out of that there is maybe a percent or two who have considered the direct combat units; therefore the question becomes “Where is the twenty percent that would join the elite groups?”
General Foote says that “few women belong in the infantry…but that certainly some could perform well in those roles, and there is no good reason to exclude women from combat aviation. [However], never compromise standards. Be sure that anybody in any MOS can do everything required in that MOS” (Moskos). Foote is stating what most supporters believe, that if a woman can meet the all of the requirements for the direct combat units, she should be granted access. Their answer to that question is that men do not know how to work with women because they have always worked in a “male cadre and officer corps”
Men have always been looked upon as the leading sex. Looking back through history women have been the ones who take care of the home and children, while men are the ones who work and go to war. However in recent years there’s no doubt that women have become much more equal in the work force. Nevertheless men are still the ones who are forced to fight our wars when the time calls for it. Many think that women should be entirely equal to men having their choice to be drafted taken away but the fact is that they are physically at a disadvantage, too emotionally oriented, and the increase of female presence would have a more negative impact in the military in the way of social interactions.
In the article “All Guts, No Glory” by Molly M. Ginty the author explained the everyday battles women faced in the armed forces. Until recently women were not allowed in the military what so ever, at one point in time they weren’t permitted to have any kind of job at all. Since granted the opportunity to enlist into the armed forces it was still made known that women could not engage in any form of combat operations what so ever. This included special forces, short-rang field artillery, and infantry. Today all combat operations are open to women, for the exception of special forces, do to physical requirements. This action raised the attention of most of the united states population, with the worry that women have no business in the military,
"Update: Women in the Military." Issues and Controversies. Facts On File News Services, 29 May 2007. Web.
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 ...
The number of women serving in the military is lower as considered to the number of men and in case of a military crisis in the country, only women are expected to register for the war. Back in the day women were expected to stay at home, get married and raise children. This has changed over time, and the women are registering to join the military more. The solution to gap the gender disparity lies in both the male, and female genders. The women should enroll for the military positions more and the men should stop seeing women as a hindrance for them. There have been successive wars with women involved in the combat military. The women are even in charge of military crafts on their own. The perception of the men that women will make them lose concentration should be
Women and war have always been considered to have nothing in common. As the more sympathetic gender, women are usually associated with caring and creating life rather than fighting alongside men. Even though women today do have the opportunity to enter the army, they are not officially allowed to enter combat and fight alongside their male companions. In both “The Sirens of the Pentagon” by Kathleen Parker and “From Women in Combat to Top Brass” by Jena McGregor, the various dangers and advantages of women in combat are defined. The dangers to women in combat are outweighed by advantages such as empowerment to young women and promotion in rank.
For example, a soldier’s judgment might be affected in several possible ways if a loved one is injured or killed. He or she might become overwhelmed with the desire for revenge and take unnecessary risks, placing the unit in greater danger than otherwise. However, those concerns are very general. In the military, service members are taught to carry out relationships within a working environment with the utmost professionalism and if those lines are crossed, there are consequences. Those who are found guilty of unprofessional relationships that compromises any part of the unit’s ability to successfully obey orders and carry out a mission can be punished as severely as receiving a discharge from the branch of service. All in all, disallowing women into a branch of the military solely because they can cause unprofessional relationships is wrong and should not be a reason why women cannot perform their duties in the
According to Anu Bhagwat, a former Marine captain and executive director of the Service Women’s Action Network, said “the prohibition on women in combat is archaic, it does not reflect the many sacrifices and contributions that women make in the military.” (CBSNews). The military made a report that prohibited women from being assigned to any unit smaller than a brigade, which prohibited them from serving in roughly 10 percent of the Marine Corps and Army occupational specialties and keeps them from advancing in the branch they are in. The marines opened 21 battalions, including artillery, tanks and engineers to female officers. The Army will open assignments for women who already qualify for open military occupational specialties. The Marines are taking a different look at the situation, they are going to make restrictions first and then decide what the women can do (Military’s
Women in active combat are a very controversial topic with valid points at both sides, but fundamentally, there are just some facts that can’t be ignored. Men and women are not created equal. Now that’s not saying their social status isn’t equal; however, men and women are just not built the same physically. Through evolution men have become more physically inclined to hunt, fight and protect all the properties required for active combat; on the other hand women have evolved to mother children and go through pregnancy with their fragile frames (Nine Fundamental Pros). The point that is trying to be made here is that women weren’t made to see action in the military, so why go against nature to be something evolution did not intend to occur?
For years, women have served and sacrificed for our country. Women, however, do not receive the same rights as men. “....About ten percent of Marine Corps and Army occupational specialities are closed to women...” (Elayne). Just because you are a woman, that does not mean you are incapable. One of the restrictions for women in the military is that they are banned from serving in ground combat jobs. These restrictions make women unable to receive job assignments that could lead them to advancements in their careers. As said in New York Times, “Many women can do combat jobs just as well as men, if not better, but none have the chance to prove it.” Women have worked hard to get through the military, yet they are still limited as to what they are allowed to do. As said by Chamberlain, “...
The participation of women in the military has been an issue of great controversy for both the public and the military fraternity. Throughout the decades, men and women have worked in the military under “equal but different” physical fitness standards. Different grading scales for the men and women were introduced, following the realization by the military that these two genders have different physical qualities (Union Resource Center 2015). Women have been provided with the opportunity to pursue military combat roles such as infantry, but special operations and other ground combat roles that require too much physical involvement and a higher level of performance are still off limits. Despite being allowed to occupy some of the same combat
Gender equality in the military has been an issue for years, it's like a problem that doesn't seem to be solved. Women do not hold the same opportunities as men do. Accomplishing a career in something you love is a big achievement. Women strive to achieve greatness in everything they do just like any other man, but unfortunately women are forced to settle down and respect the restrictions they are put up. This is a big use that has been spoken about by many. Jena McGregor, a graduate of the University of Georgia writes on her article "Military Women in Combat:Why Making It Official Matters”, published on May 25, 2012 the main factors that keep women from achieving equal opportunities as men do in the military. She supports her argument by giving a lot of facts on this current issue.
In the mid-1900’s, when women were first being integrated into the military, some were denied recognition for the work that they did because they were women and therefore not technically in the military. In one case, Army Captain Linda Bray and her soldiers were involved in a gunfight in Panama that lasted for several hours and resulted in a “trove of weaponry and intelligence,” and no casualties, but none of the fifteen women under her command were considered to have been in combat, because “the Army, the Pentagon, and Congress said they couldn’t be” (Francke 49-51). Captain Bray commanded a mixed-gender group of soldiers to an incredible victory, and none of them were injured in the process, but they were not allowed to receive credit for their efforts. Had the expedition been led by a male commander, these valiant soldiers would have been honored for their victory. In additions, women have also had restrictions put on their military service so they would not be in power over men. In the 1950’s, women could not make up more than 2% of Air Force members, because some male soldiers feared that too many women would join (Holm 122). Because the men wanted to feel like a powerful majority, they planned to exclude a huge number of willing, qualified volunteers. They even discouraged women from joining in the first place, so that they might not even have to enforce the new rule. There were also restrictions that prevented women becoming high-ranking policy or decision makers; when they were allowed, it was usually only for “women’s matters,” and they had no real authority (Holm 122). The military tried to give the impression of being open, fair, and unprejudiced by having women in control, but in truth, the women were powerless to make decisions or effect change. Another failed attempt to seem aboveboard was the creation of special women’s groups. Holm
Many agree, that in certain military occupations, women can function at the same level as men. The controversy about having women fighting with men in wars is the fact that they have a different physical structure, deal with stress and emotions differently , are more susceptible to injury and just don't have the killer instinct necessary to get the job done. Although the last statement might appear to be a stereotype, most women would not be capable of supporting the demanding rigors of war-like situations. It would be a great mistake to allow women in these stressful and dangerous situations.
As of 2016, this restriction has been lifted. The 2016 National Defense Authorization Act opens the remaining 10% of jobs to women among all branches. Former Secretary Ashton B. Carter specifically states “As long as they qualify and meet the standards, women will now be able to contribute to our mission in ways they could not before.” Female integration into combat roles falls under seven guidelines. Summarized: Implantation will be pursued forcefully and effectively; jobs are assigned based on ability alone; equal opportunity does not mean equal participation; physical differences between men and women is noted; noted perception that integration could affect combat effectiveness; the performance of the team is paramount; not all of America’s allies share the perspective of an integrated male-female military (Pellerin). The United States Military thrives on recognition and reward being based solely on an individual’s abilities and