Women In Military
analytical Essay
1277 words
Women in the Military
m
Roxanne Rodriguez
10/28/10
English 101
Professor Murray
Women in the Military: Warriors or a Liability?
Since the dawn of time women have proved themselves in one way or another to be just as capable as men, so if a woman so chooses to risk her life fighting and engaging in hand to hand combat in a war to defend her country why shouldn’t she be allowed to?
Women have dutifully served alongside and even in front of men in a line of combat throughout history which extends thousands of years into the past in many cultures and countries around the world. The warrior woman dates back to prehistoric times when individuals mostly fended for themselves to survive. During the Roman incursion into what is today England, there was Boadicea, the British warrior queen who led her people to battle against the Roman invaders. There was also Jinga, the majestic and murderous black queen who fought the Portuguese in seventeenth-century Angola. Modern western culture includes a famous and more popular example, Joan of Arc, who in 1429, at age 17, successfully led French troops into battle against the English. Even without the specific examples of these heroines, consider how, in our more recent history, hundreds of women have disguised themselves as men to fight in the Revolutionary and Civil Wars. These acts are not just those of bravery, but true patriotism and those are the type of individuals who are needed in the line of duty to defend this great nation.
A women’s restriction in combat is often viewed as a form of sexual discrimination in continuing debates because it violates a chance for equal opportunity among both genders. Some also argue the reasonable issue that combat positions should be available to wom...
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...I. Overview on Women in Combat-Both Perspectives
A.) Women in combat are often viewed as a form of sexual discrimination in on-going debates because it violates a chance for equal opportunity among both genders.
B.) Many arguments on this topic are focused around not just the physical but mental differences between men and women.
IV. Factors Affecting Women’s Military Roles-Society Bias?
A.) “Stereotypes of men as ‘just warriors’ and women as ‘beautiful souls’ have been used to secure women’s status as noncombatants and men’s identity as warriors (Elshtain 1995).”---(“Gender and the Military” –Helena Carreiras)
B.) “…Since war has usually been defined as a male activity and highly valued masculine characteristics are often associated with it, the image of women warriors has been seen as inherently unsettling,…”--- (“Gender and the Military” –Helena Carreiras)
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women's restriction in combat is viewed as a form of sexual discrimination in continuing debates.
- Opines that if a woman chooses to risk her life fighting and engaging in hand-to-hand combat to defend her country, why shouldn’t she be allowed to?
- Opines that women have proved themselves to be just as capable as men since the dawn of time. women have dutifully served alongside and even in front of men in a line of combat throughout history.
- Argues that women are capable of successfully fighting in a war, despite the physical and mental differences between men and women.
- Explains that boadicea, the british warrior queen led her people to battle against the roman invaders. jinga fought the portuguese in seventeenth-century angola.
- Explains that women in combat are often viewed as sexual discrimination in on-going debates because it violates a chance for equal opportunity among both genders. many arguments on this topic are focused around not just physical but mental differences between men and women.
- Explains that stereotypes of men as just warriors and women as beautiful souls have been used to secure women's status as noncombatants.
Related
- analytical
- opinion
- Women in the Militaryanalytical essayUnderstanding the diversity in the U.S. Military is easiest if the numbers are looked at according to this nation’s population. American women account for fifty-one percent of the U.S. population and yet they only make up about sixteen percent of our uniformed officers throughout each branch of the military. The numbers are even fewer when looking at the number of women who have made a general officer rank. In the Army, only four percent of the generals are female, Navy admirals are seven percent, Air Force numbers are only nine percent, and the lowest number is the Marine Corps with three percent. (Sagalyn, 2011). The graph below shows the disparity in the numbers from each branch of the military and covers both active and reserve officers.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes the disparity in the numbers from each branch of the military and covers both active and reserve officers.
- Explains that sexual assault and/or harrassment is a serious problem for women in the military. they state that women are ostracized and retaliated against if rapes are reported.
- Opines that stressful situations such as war and/or combat missions serve to prove manhood, but only if women also see it from that point of view.
- Explains the reasons for the lack of females in the higher ranks of the u.s. military.
- Cites bell, d., and travis, t. (2012). the meaning of difference: american constructions of race, sex and gender, social class, sexual orientation,
642 wordsRead More - Women and the Draftopinion essayWith 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.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women have become more equal in the work force, whereas men are still forced to fight our wars when the time calls for it.
- Explains that men are physically stronger and can tolerate more than women naturally. women are built to have children and have remarkable endurance, but men gain strength more easily.
- Opines that emotion prevents women from being in the draft. women's brains perceive things in a more maternal way for they consider circumstances differently.
- Opines that social interaction with women and men can cause a shortcoming in the military.
- Opines that women are not equal even if they have the title. men are observably stronger and have a different mentality in situations than women.
813 wordsRead More - Women in the Militaryopinion essayIn Women in the Military, Janette Mance explores the debates and problems faced by the increasing number of women involved in the military. After examining issues such as pregnancy, sexual harassment, and rape, Mance concludes that as a society we must continue to strive for gender equality.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how janette mance explores the debates and problems faced by the increasing number of women involved in the military and concludes that as a society we must continue to strive for gender equality.
- Opines that women have stood like a rock for the welfare and glory of our country's history, from the storm lashed decks of the mayflower to the present hour.
- Explains that women have played an important role in the military, but it has not been until recently that they have been recognized for their past achievements in this area.
- Opines that women in the military are a good idea, but there are many obstacles that make that reality difficult to achieve.
- Explains that general jeanne holm's book, women in the military: an unfinished revolution, gives an impressive account of the roles that women have played in military history.
- Explains that women have been serving their country since it began. molly pitcher fired her cannon in 1778 without congressional sanction. in the revolutionary and civil wars, women fought disguised as men.
- Explains how the idea that women serving in the military should be offered the same protection as men did not arise until world war ii. congresswoman edith rodgers introduced a bill to congress proposing the establishment of the women’s army auxiliary corps.
- Explains that the waac bill was the first major breakthrough for women in the armed forces, but it was deemed a failure due to the drawbacks that were included.
- Describes the women's armed service integration act as the first major step towards the allowance of women in the military.
- Explains that after the integration act was established, frenzy over the debate calmed down and people were returning to the lives that they once knew before the war began.
- Explains how feminism, the vietnam war, and the equal rights amendment changed the role of women in the military.
- Explains that 1975 was a key year for women in the military. the department of defense eliminated the practice of discharging women on the basis of pregnancy due to the idea of equal opportunity.
- Explains that in 1978, the army, navy, and air force integrated women into their ranks by abolishing the wac, waves and waf.
- Explains that women were fully integrated into the military with the defense officer personnel management act, which allowed women to be integrated onto previously all male promotion lists.
- Sums up the 1980's for military women as a period of relative stability and normalcy when all the "firsts" and pioneering will be behind them. the challenge is to chart the course to make it happen.
- Opines that acceptance and equal opportunity should be the norm.
- Explains that the issue of women in the military sparked a hot debate, turning the debate into gender war. pregnancy was one such barrier, which kept women at home for centuries.
- Analyzes how s of sound off were interested in the question of why women join the military. many people believe that women enter to fight a battle for feminism.
- Explains how margaret c. harrell and laura l. miller's book, new opportunities for military women: effects upon readiness, cohesion and morale, examines how many positions have opened up to women.
- Explains how miller and harrell selected military units that would provide a broad view of the issues and used focus groups to find out the opinions of people on the effects of recent changes.
- Analyzes how harrell and miller's data shows that the integration of women into the military is slow, but it is moving along.
- Opines that if our country wishes to achieve full equality between the sexes, all positions, including combat positions should be open to women.
- Opines that both sides of the debate raise valid points when examining the issue from the point of view of those who oppose women in the military.
- Explains that the canadian experience in which women were recruited for the 16 week infantry training course was identical to the men's course.
- Explains that most women cannot live up to the expectations of a combat position. if we change those standards, would we compromise our overall combat capabilities?
- Opines that the traditional gender roles that govern our nation have been in existence since the beginning of the common era.
- Explains that many service members are for the idea of women in combat although with a few stipulations.
- Explains that more than half the enlisted men and one-third of the male officers favored allowing women into all combat positions from which they are now excluded.
- Explains that army surveys show that women soldiers believe combat experience will help their careers, but they want women to be assigned to combat positions only if they volunteer.
- Opines that a compromise may be long in coming due to the arguments that each side has, and because women, soldiers and civilians alike are divided on the issues.
- Analyzes how patricia hanna's book, women soldiers, looks at the stresses in careers of us servicewomen. harrell and miller found that some women felt that they could not report sexual harassment.
- Explains that the tailhook scandal is the most well-known case of sexual harassment within the military. lt. paula coughlin reported being sexually assaulted at tailhook.
- Opines that the tailhook scandals are at the extreme end of the spectrum. it is unfortunate, but because not all cases are reported it is difficult to find a solution.
- Opines that the debate regarding women in the military will continue to rage on as our country struggles to overcome sexist barriers.
- Opines that centuries of patriarchy and structured gender roles are not going to be erased in a short period of time. our best bet is to strive for equality by any means possible.
- Explains burrelli, david, foreign affairs and national defense division, 92008: women in the military.
- Describes cohen, william's "on women in the military."
- Opines that coed military’s ‘drawbacks’ aren’t for the female re cruits.
- Cites hanna, patricia, and elisabetta addis, valeria e. "stressors in careers of us servicewomen."
- Describes harrell, margaret c., and laura l. miller's new opportunities for military women: effects upon readiness.
- States priest, dana, military study finds women fill few jobs tied to combat.
- Explains that schneider, dorothy, and carl j. sound off: american military women speak out.
- Explains walters, nolan, "new drill for military as more women join ranks." seattle times.
4234 wordsRead More - Women in Combatopinion essay“Out here, there is no male gender and no female gender,” says Staff Sgt. Vincent Vetterkind, a squad leader of a mixed-gender combat unit. “Our gender is soldier” (Nordland). Until recently, combat had been widely considered a “male only” activity. Despite this notion that men are better suited to combat than women, women have always played a significant role in war. With advancements in technology, and the need for more combat soldiers because of the global war against terrorism, women, more than ever, are needed in the military.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that women have played a significant role in war, despite the notion that men are better suited to combat than women.
- Explains that women's roles in combat have been limited with a few noted exceptions. during the civil war, most military women were nurses.
- Explains that in world war ii women held multiple combat jobs just as their male counterparts did. they served in infantry units, but were regarded as noncombatants. soviet women believed that women had greater physical endurance than men.
- Explains that women served in the vietnam war, with about 90 percent of them working as nurses. many women were killed in bombing and land mines.
- Explains that women fought alongside their male counterparts in most jobs. after the persian gulf war, congress was considering repealing the ban of women in combat.
- Explains that the conspiracy that women wouldn't be useful in the military is based on the traditional gender roles that have not been changed.
- Explains that women are mentally stable, if not more, in pressured situations than men. boot camp is purposely designed to break you down mentally and physically so they can build you up stronger.
- Analyzes how the debate has changed society's outlook on women, especially men and other sergeants. women are extremely talented and can hold their own in any branch of the military.
- Opines that women should be given the same opportunities as men, including active combat roles, in today's world.
1190 wordsRead More - Women in Combatanalytical essayThe essay “Women in combat a dangerous experiment” argues against women in combat positions. The author, Jerry Boykin, is the executive president of the Family Research Council and served thirty six years in the U.S. Army. He is an original member of Delta Force, the former commander of the Green Berets, and served as Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Intelligence (Boykin). Boykin’s believes the decision to lift this ban is ideological and a social experiment that will impair military effectiveness. His first point is that the positions being opened are those that deal directly with the enemy. The positions often involving hand-to-hand combat and physically women a...
In this essay, the author
- Argues that women in combat units at battalion levels and below will change the dynamics of the military.
- Argues that the decision to lift the ban on women in combat positions is ideological and a social experiment that will impair military effectiveness.
- Explains that captain vernice "flygirl" armour is america's first african-american female combat pilot and is a business coach and keynote speaker.
- Argues that the relationship between men and women who are to work together in battalion positions should not pose a problem to the performance of the military.
- Agrees that the best solution to allow women in combat positions, without negatively affecting the military, is to not lower the physical standard requirements.
- Argues that the military is not going to send in women who don't have the physical abilities as men do. the use of asymmetrical warfare has blurred the lines of combat and non-combat duties.
- Analyzes how the lift on the ban of women in battalion levels sparked controversy. one side believes that women will hinder men emotionally and physically inept to carry out tasks men do in these positions.
- Cites armour, vernice, boykin, jerry, clark, meredith, and harding, alison.
1475 wordsRead More - Essay On Women In Combatanalytical essay“Assigning women to combat is a radical attack on the natural complementary of the sexes.” (Kirkwood)
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women have been serving in the military since the late 1700s, even though they weren't supposed to. they were enrolled as nurses and cooks because the union needed people to aid hurt soldiers.
- Explains how women contributed to the civil war in 1861. clara barton was one of the most famous nurses during the war who founded the american red cross.
- Explains that the navy and army corps was created in 1908, when women were officially allowed to be in the u.s. military but still not as a combat soldier.
- Explains that world war ii starts in 1941 and more than 60,000 women are enrolled for sea duty at the stateside and overseas.
- Argues that women should be allowed to be in combat because they are already serving in the military.
745 wordsRead More - Women in Combatanalytical essayLin, C.J. “Military’s Progress on Women in Combat Criticized.” Military.com News. Stars and Stripes. 31 January 2014. Web. 10 March 2014.
In this essay, the author
- Argues that the standards for enlisting in military combat positions are as high as possible to ensure that we can create soldiers that are effective as these "perfect-world" soldiers.
- Argues that gender-neutral standards are carefully put together to ensure that the soldier will be successful in battle.
- Opines that combat is impossible if you don't know how to work with technology in today's world. women in non-combat roles are always in harms way.
- Argues that it is irrational to oppose the idea of women in combat using argument that they are prone to death and injuries.
- Explains that women's medical visits for eye injuries are half the rate of males, and that the risk of death and injuries has nothing to do with their ability to battle.
- Concludes that if a woman has the potential to fight "like men," no one needs to stand in her way.
- Opines that the topic of gender equality should be in the past, but there are individuals who are still stuck in early twentieth-century beliefs. women need to be allowed in combat because they have excelled in a number of combat situations already.
- Analyzes brooks, rosa, leonard, mary d., lin, c.j. and musgrave, jane. "do women belong in combat?" proquest.
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In this essay, the author
- Analyzes hoppen, jane, "women in the military: who’s got your back?" off our backs.
- Describes renzetti, claire m., and daniel j. curran's women, men and society: the sociology of gender.
- Opines that sexual assaults in the military brings shame, not action.
- Describes tobey, allison's book, "serving in a rape zone: female soldiers die of dehydration to avoid rap
- Argues that the american military should take action to guarantee the equal treatment of male and female soldiers.
- Analyzes how stereotypes affect female soldiers, who are expected to fulfill certain duties that are not expected of male soldiers.
2673 wordsRead More - Women of the Second World Waranalytical essayThe belief that women are the gentler, weaker sex is one that has been held since the dawn of time. Women have always been expected to live their lives as quietly and unobtrusively as possible. When the women’s branch of the army formed in May 1942 this already fragile belief began to crumble even more. In the years preceding the war, the scope of women in society was gradually beginning to expand. Women could now work outside the home and earn their own wages, albeit in still typically “feminine” jobs and for less money than men. But many saw the participation of women in the military as more than a threat to jobs. The army was now a threat to a woman’s sexuality. The public worried that by joining a workforce so undeniably masculine women would start to behave like men. Complaints that the army would turn...
In this essay, the author
- Explains that women were held as virtual criminals in guarded compounds in port moresby, new guinea, to protect them from african american men who had been stereotyped as dangerous rapists.
- Explains meyer, leisa d., "creating g.i. jane: the regulation of sexuality and sexual behavior in the women's army corps during world war ii." feminist studies 1992: 590, 595.
- Argues that women's involvement in the military was an anomaly and threat to both men and gender norms.
- Explains that military women practiced manipulation to regain control over their sexuality. heterosexual women were crafty in getting what they wanted, even if it was at another’s expense.
940 wordsRead More - Women in the Militaryopinion essayDo you think the military is fair to everybody? The military is an organization that is set- up to save the world; the director of defense has lifted the ban on women right in the military, so everyone will have an equal chance. This paper will state why the military lift the ban and was it a right choice.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the director of defense has lifted the ban on women right in the military, so everyone will have an equal chance.
- Explains that the military isn't for everyone, since it requires certain qualifications, such as age, citizenship, academic, physical, and legal qualifications.
- Agrees with president barack obama's statement that women should be paid equal. in the military, women were getting paid less because they were limited to certain jobs.
- Explains that the director of defense figured that since women already serve in combat roles and fly warplanes they should be able to be on the frontline.
- Explains that now that the ban has been lifted in the military, everybody has equal rights and can do anything that they are qualified for, regardless of gender.
- Explains that the general of the army said he did not want women on the frontline because they may be an distraction to their assigned squad. the director of defense said that everybody should have equal rights and deserve a chance.
- Opines that lifting the ban was a right call for the director of defense to make. it made more people, mainly women, appreciate their job more.
- Concludes that now that the ban is lifted, there may be more women to join the military over the years, simply because they know they have the same opportunity as the men soldiers.
- Cites foxnews.com/politics/2013/01/24/panetta-opens combat-roles-to-women/ and the new york times.
740 wordsRead More