Gender Inequality and the Military - Research Paper Example

Introduction The concept of gender in the military is one that is often not reinforced, specifically with allowing women to move into combat zones.There are several that oppose the idea of women entering into a war zone and of fighting with men in wars. However, the current debate also shows deeply rooted gender bias that is pertinent when relating to women in combat. The stereotypes that have been created around gender and women not having the ability to fight in combat zones has led into different questions of what is acceptable and not with women who are interested in the military. Even though past stereotypes have shown a stigma that doesn’t allow women to fight in combat zones, there should be an opportunity for women to fight in war. Not allowing this is a sign of gender inequality and isn’t pertinent to the current concepts of fighting in a war. Changing the approach to gender equality, specifically in the military, is one that will provide more opportunities for women who are interested in the military. Gender Inequality and the Military The concept of women not being able to fight in the military is one that is accepted in most cultures because of biological and social differences. Since women are naturally smaller than man and don’t have the same make – up biologically, many assume it would be difficult for them to fight in the military and move into a combat zone. More importantly, society states that the role of women is not meant to be in an area of fighting and combat, but is instead supposed to be related to different roles. When looking at the roles of women, many would state that they wouldn’t want to see their daughters go to war. More importantly, the role of women as mothers and in the household also led to a stereotype that women shouldn’t leave her family and go to war. These differences have led many to an acceptance that women shouldn’t be associated with combat in the military (Skaine, 1999). Not only are there specific issues related to the basic consensus of biological and social differences among civilians. Those in the military also are known for creating differences among women in the military because of the different social and biological differences. Gender harassment is often used in the military, specifically with women who hold a position in the army based on combat. Men are considered to respond to gender differences and inequalities based on biases and stereotypes. Gender harassment is based on general attitudes where men try to take a dominant role over women because of their belief in gender positions with combat. The domination follows with dividing women outside of the main groups, treating them unequally and often leads into mental and physical harassment among men. It is believed that this attitude is one that shows that the gender stereotypes lead to a feeling that women are threatening the power of men, specifically because of the social role that they are breaking by entering into combat (Miller, 1997). Changes in Gender and the Military Even though there are several areas of defiance for women in the military, it can also be seen that various aspects are beginning to change with expectations of gender. The changes that began to occur with gender and the social and biological expectations started to occur with the Gulf War. The combat zone during this time was not reliant on the biological differences between men and women, specifically because of the technology that was used. This eliminated the power struggles that often occurred with women who were not seen fit to fight within combat. The changes with war zones continued with the events as 9 / 11. During this time, the perspective changed over gender and stereotypes. The idea of space began to diminish, specifically because conflict zones became integrated with domesticated areas. Women and men, through this event, began to break some of the barriers and stereotypes that left one area domesticated while men were meant for combat. During this time, many began to look at terrorism and conflicts not only as a fight for males and power. Violence against women and children began to become a centerpiece in which many began to believe that the home needed to be protected by women as well as men (Giles, Hyndman, 2004). The changing attitude and perspective was related to the need to have women fighting for the space that they considered as their home. The concept of progress through these changes in the military and in society also led to a different understanding of how women should interact in the military as well as in domesticated areas. Stereotypes that were based on male dominated power are now leading to changes in what it means to have power at different levels. The changes in technology, societal alternatives and the current needs in society are leading women into combat because of the needs of the culture. More importantly, the changes that are within the military are showing many that women are able to strategically plan and define needs within combat zones to assist in winning a war with the right skills in tact (Higonnet, 1987). While there is still a continuous stereotype that women are not capable of reaching combat because of the mentality and societal expectations, others are seeing actions and strategies from recent wars that show the opposing viewpoint. The Gulf War is the most specific point that shows how women were able to lead the war and take a place in the battle field so the right strategies were implemented to win various battles (Peach, 1994). From the actions that have been taken with women in the military, it can be seen that the role of women is based on a sense of gender stereotyping, as opposed to a true definition of what is expected in combat. This relates to the gender communication phenomenon, in which genders are expected to hold a role and set of definitions within society. When looking at women in combat, they are defined as whether they are qualified or not for combat. The qualifications lead to a sense of inferiority that is communicated to women, specifically because of legal, social and economic differences between men and women. As this is communicated to women, it leads them to believe that there is no space for them in combat, and naturally stops them from fighting beside men. This stereotype has led to rulings such as equal protection for men and women and has swayed women to stay out of the military (Vojdik, 2006). The defining of roles in equality for women in society is one that has been assumed and which doesn’t hold truth about the different implementation that women can take in combat. The exclusion that has occurred from this has resulted in the belief that equality is based on not providing women with equal rights to fight in combat. The definitions and roles continue with the points of the military. Combat, as most would assume, is based on the front lines and battles that are expected in the military. However, within the military, this is defined as defending against enemies and can include intelligence, support, communication and health assistance. The definitions that are expected are supposed to protect families as well as women who may suffer from sexual abuse. However, these definitions are also based on assumptions (Kornblum, 1984). With women who have been in the military, the definitions are not based on fighting but on strategic implementation and support. The concept of combat is then based on social stereotypes of what this may mean for women. More importantly, the definitions and expectations of what may happen are limited to the stereotypes of women and don’t provide substantial evidence of what the expectations and possibilities are for women and their roles in the military. The communication that is given to and from the military then becomes limited and based on the stereotypes that are outside of the definitions from both the military and the law (Cramsie, 1983). Conclusion The complications of women in the military have turned into a stereotype of whether a specific gender should fight in combat. It can be seen that women can carry a strong role in combat and can effectively assist in fighting, support and strategy within a war situation. However, gender stereotyping, the communication phenomenon through specific definitions and social expectations have stopped women from having the opportunity to enter into combat with men. The internal struggles for power among the military, as well as the social expectations have further stopped women from meeting the possibilities of entering into a war zone. The stereotypes that exist with women in the military and in combat have led to hindrances among women who can move into combat zones and assist with the countries. The gender roles are based on stereotypes and misleading definitions, as opposed to evidence of women being effective within the military. Since these biases are misleading, women should have the opportunity to be in combat and to assist in the military, as opposed to being misled by societal expectations. References Cramsie, Jody. (1983). “Gender Discrimination in the Military: the Unconstitutional Exclusion of Women from Combat.” Universal Law Review (547). Giles, Wenona, Jennifer Hyndman. (2004). Sites of Violence: Gender and Conflict Zones. California: University of California Press. Higonnet, Margaret. (1987). Behind the Lines: Gender and the Two World Wars. Boston: Yale University. Kornblum, Lori. (1984). “Women Warriors in a Men’s World: the Combat Exclusion.” Law and Inequality (351). Miller, Laura. (1997). “Not Just Weapons of the Weak: Gender Harassment as a Form of Protest for Army Men.” Social Psychology Quarterly (60), (1). Peach, Lucinda. (1994). “Women at War: the Ethics of Women in Combat.” Hamline Journal (15), (5). Skaine, Rosemarie. (1999). Women at War: Gender Issues of Americans in Combat. North Carolina: McFarland and Company. Vojdik, Valorie. (2006). “Beyond Stereotyping in Equal Protection Doctrine: Reframing the Exclusion of Women from Combat.” Alabama Law Review (303). Read More