Women Serving in Combat Roles
Women’s presence in combat military roles is continuously increasing. This has created great controversy in the United States.Numerous arguments have also been raised in defense of military policy that bans women from all combat roles. Until recently, United States women were only able to enlist in military support positions. While some believe this change is a positive change, others are concerned it breaks tradition. However, women serving in combat roles promotes gender equality in the military as well as individual rights.
Advocates of women in combat claim women serving 15 years in Afghanistan and Iraq and still declined combat roles is discriminatory and unjust. While opponents argue allowing women to serve these roles limit the military’s ability to fight in combat situations. Until recently, women in the United States were only able to enlist in military support positions but couldn’t physically serve in combat. In December of 2015, the Pentagon announced that all combat jobs would be opened to women. These jobs include: driving tanks, firing mortars, and even leading infantry soldiers. In 2016, the ban on women serving in close combat roles in the British military was lifted. Women can now serve as Army Rangers, Green Berets, Navy SEALs, Marine Corps Infantry, and Air Force parajumpers. While many people believe this change is a positive step in the fight towards gender inequality, others are concerned that adding women to combat roles is completely inappropriate, and is too dangerous for women to endure.
Gender equality in the military has progressed, however stigmas about the traditions in combat roles still exist. First, men are perceived to be warlike and masculine (Stiehm). They are even noted to be “just warriors,” which reinforces the concept of masculinity. In contrast, women are viewed as peaceful and feminine. The idea of femininity in the military has a negative connotation. If a woman is considered feminine, she is then expected to “sustain” and “nurture” life, not take it. Not only does this suggest that women ultimately should not have a combat role but it also reflects the attitudes people have towards a woman’s place in society. Being a woman is associated with roles such as a daughter, mother or sister. These ideas propose an individual’s gender predetermines the qualities they obtain. However, women no longer have the obligation to fulfill household responsibilities and men no longer are expected to do the dirty work. Women with dreams of showing their devotion to the nation now have a chance by serving their country in the military. Not only does the military provide a chance for women, it also able to provide women with a level playing field to prove their worth.