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Drafting Women
12.14.02, 19:49:30
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Post #1 (permalink) |
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I'm curious as to how people feel about the idea of drafting women into the military just as men. This was an argument brought up in my English class and I was quite surprised to find that only I and one other person, a girl in fact, were in approval of this form of a draft. Let me make my case.
*If women are to ask for equal rights, as they should, is it not fair to ask them to share equal responsibility? I find it extremely aggravating that although women are to be on the same page as men, they are exempted from many of the things we have to do. With rights come both positive and negative consequences. It's an all or nothing situation. There is no in-between where we can step in and say, "You can vote and everything but leave the fighting to the big boys."
*Many argue that it is an act of chivalry to protect women from the harsh environment that war presents. Well, last time I checked, this isn't the 1600's. Men don't ride on horseback and kneel befoire women, ready to protect them from the entire world. Sheltering a specific gender from things we feel they might not be able to bear or shouldn't witness is degrading. It's similar to denying a child the privelege of seeing a rated R movie. "Sorry hun. You just aren't prepared for this."
*In fact, I had this discussion with my father and these are the points he made. He says that:
A. He doesn't feel that women can bear the stress that war will push upon them and that it is not safe to have somebody on the front if they are potentially unstable.
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B. In times of war, it may be too much of a hassle if military compounds become overcrowded and the women would have to bunk with men as well as shower. Supposedly, the women would make the men feel uncomfortable and that if she be placed into the same troop, she would only be a distraction.
I replied with this:
A. Studies have shown that women are less likely to snap under stressful situations. Doesn't that make sense? I do not know any men that could handle the excruciating pain of childbirth and the chaotic following years of caring for the children. Also, if mental stability is the key here, subject all troops, man or woman to psychological tests to determine whether or not they are fit to serve.
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B. If the comfort of the men, who I guess are of higher importance and must be checked with when making a military decision, is in question, then that's just one more thing they have to deal with. War is not meant to be comfortable, with bunks laden with silk sheets and down pillows. If there is a problem between men and women in a battle situation or such, go directly to the source of the problem...the conflict, not that Billy doesn't like Susie cuz she's a girl.
The only potentially dangerous crisis that I can imagine occuring by drafting women is the possibility of drafting two parents. But that should easily be prevented by either a gov't program to look out for these cases or notification by the one being drafted. A simple letter saying , "Um...my husband just got drafted also. That's a problem. Can't go. Gotta watch the kids," should clear this up, no? |
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