Women in Combat - Research Paper Example

Introduction Bans on women in combat continue to be a pressing issue among the military, specifically because of regulations and reinforcements which are placed on women. The continuous debates are now moving into issues directed at the ability for women to assist in combat. This debate is one which is now showing in current news, as women in the air force are restricted from flight and don’t have the ability to be trained to fly. The change in this occurred on March 30th, when the first woman flew in the Air Force while on combat duty; however, according to Defense Department Policies, women don’t have the option of flying in combat units or as a main job for enlistment (Ricks, 1).

The combat roles and restrictions for flying are an example that women in combat are a present issue which is based on a lack of equality within the military. Women should have the same opportunities as men while in combat, ranging from flight to defense while in military action. Currently, the military can’t prove or regard any reason why women aren’t allowed into the same positions as men, which are leading to continuous debates over the inequality reflected in military positions. In the past, women have not been given the same roles and positions as men because of the belief in biological and mental differences that led women at a disadvantage.

Biologically, women were smaller and couldn’t carry forward with duties because of size. It was also noted that women who were serving in combat had higher rates of depression and anxiety disorders while in the military because of the pressures which most were facing while on duty. It was believed that these two components led women to being at higher risks which could lead to more casualties and deaths in the military, specifically when fast military action was required while on duty (Hoge, Clark, Castro, 327).

However, these studies were shown from specific actions in which military was involved and where casualties where higher than expected without a direct understanding of whether this linked to gender or not. While there is a lack of evidence, there are still several who believe that women are not biologically or mentally fit to be in certain roles in the military (Hoge, Clark, Castro, 327). The claims made against women who are in combat are now recognized as a gender difference based on stereotypes.

The involvement of women is one which has disregarded other aspects which may cause the depression or anxiety, such as sexual harassment and other levels of inequality which men don’t face. At the same time, there isn’t proof of the biological differences and how this affects combat (Smyth, 190). The overall stereotypes are known to be a relationship to the military not having a desire to invest or involve women because of beliefs in gender which exist. The main association is based on cultural expectations and stereotypes of gender identity and how these relate to violence which occurs in the military (Smyth, 190).

Men in the military that are in higher positions continue to be a part of the restrictions and carry the belief that gender differences should also carry regulations while in the military. The cultural and social belief which exists with women in combat and which create the separation in the military is furthered with the restrictions which are imposed on women. After the Gulf War, many of these were lifted because women fought in the front lines of combat and operated side by side with men. However, most believe that women create setbacks when it comes to defense in the military.

(Murdoch et al, S5). Psychosocial trauma, general health and other complexities from military service remain at the basis of this (Murdoch et al, S5). The traumatic explanations which occur relate specifically to reports and outcomes from the war as well as the social and cultural barriers in the military which still don’t want women in the military. Despite this, women are now lifting the restrictions by entering into combat, breaking rules by flight and fighting in adverse situations and by finding ways to shift the negative stereotypes still carried by the military (Murdoch et al, S5).

Conclusion The complexities of women in combat are still showing with restrictions that are being broken with women in various armed forces. The regulations of women being in the military and performing specific duties are one which is related directly to the social and cultural ideologies of the military. This doesn’t allow women to move into the front lines or to assist with specific missions in the military order. It is believed by most in the military that mental and biological differences among genders create these limitations.

However, there is no evidence that this limits women and a direct link to the social and cultural pressures of women and the differences which are created specifically from military culture. Despite the stereotypes and restrictions, women continue to move into combat and take roles in the military that are assisting with the duties required in both war and peace time. Works Cited Hoge, Charles, Julie Clark, Carl Castro. “Commentary: Women in Combat and the Risk of Post – Traumatic Stress Disorder and Depression.

” International Journal of Epidemiology 36 (2), 2007. Murdoch, Maureen, Arlene Bradley, Susan Mather, Robert Klein, Carole Turner. “Women and War.” Journal of General Medicine 21 (S3), 2006. Ricks, Markeshia. “Women’s Groundbreaking Flight Sparks Debate.” Air Force Times (April), 2011. Smyth, Alibhe. “Paying Our Disrespects to the Bloody States We’re In: Women, Violence, Culture, and the State.” Journal of Women’s History 6 (4), 2005.