While employing women in the military can be seen as a step forward, it is also a step back. There are still cases of sexual assault and harassment. And like many other incidents, it's underreported. In a place where soldiers are supposed to feel protected, these women end up feeling scared.
These women are in a predominately male-dominated environment. So in order to survive, they can't act feminine-like. They end up being seen as a bitch, a slut or a dyke. But if they aren't doing the jobs on the field they end up doing the traditionally "female" jobs: the base hospital and food service, supply and administration.
In the case of Capt. Margaret H. White, it ended with the military equivalent of a restraining order and charges of stalking. You would never think that the military has these kind of problems. We look to our military for protection. Where do these women in the military begin to even find protection if their own counterparts are causing them to feel unsafe?
But once again, we are only seeing male violence against women. There might be female violence against men or even female against female. But I guess that those incidents are even more underreported.
I definitely agree with Erica in the aspect that we cannot get caught up in thinking that just because women are allowed to serve in the military that equality has been achieved. In so many instances women are assaulted and the incidents are not dealt with properly since the military does not want any negative media surrounding them. On the other hand, the same militaries that are set up to protect countries against intruders are the ones that are out inflicting horror on other countries' citizens. For example the Bosnian Rapes (Enloe, 101) and many other rape acts like that. Rape is a way for the individuals to assert power, and it would appear almost as though, the military gives individuals the power to exert that power beyond their military duties.
ReplyDeleteWhen one thinks of the military, their initial thought involves a feeling of protection, being safe, protecting our country. After the readings for today, I know more than to think just these things. What comes to mind now is unfairness, inequality, and objectification. We cannot get caught up in thinking that women will be treated equally just because they serve in the military. I don't know when the time will be when women and women will actually be treated equally, but it doesn't look like that time is near. We spoke about asserting a kind of power in clas when it comes to committing violent crimes such as murder and rape, and it seems strikingly similar to what kind of power the military gives certain people, and how some people (mainly men) abuse this power in the wrong way.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I completely agree with both Erica and Emily that having women serve in the army does not necessarily means achievement of feminism, I think this conduct does a great job in breaking up the most prevalent assumption that soldiering is a "naturally" manly activity (Enloe, 109). This assumption is the source of many crimes performed by male soldiers during wartime such as military rape and military prostitution as presented in Spoils of War (Enloe). Because it is believed that soldiers' sexuality is of crucial importance to satisfy so crimes like military rape and prostitution are tolerated, even by the civilians. However, as more and more women come to serve in the army alongside men, both the public, the soldiers, and the military administration would learn that not any reason can be accepted to cause sufferings on women, by dealing with female issues inside the army.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I agree that is is unacceptable for women to be raped and sexually assaulted in the military when they are simply serving their country the same way that the male soldiers are, I do not believe that women serving in the military is in any way a step backward. By allowing men to scare women out of the military by sexually abusing or threatening them is giving into the patriarchial system that we live in. Instead, steps must be taken to protect these women in any way possible and allow them to continue to fight for their country.
ReplyDeleteBeyond assessing whether or not women serving in the military is a step forward or backward, I think Erica presents a very point that women are too capable of committing acts of assault or violence. I think it is important to view that women in the military may be part of a patriarchal system that belittles and intimidates them, but they also buy into that system. A good example of this is Lynndie England who became infamous for the photos taken of her abusing prisoners in Abu Ghraib. (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/AG-10.jpg) and (http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f2/Abu-ghraib-leash.jpg) These photos show how England as a female was in a position of power over the prisoners and essentially had been trained to hate them and view them as lesser human beings. Women in the military are therefore just as susceptible to becoming obsessed with controlling another.
ReplyDeleteErica really brings up a good point here about the military taking a step forward, but also not really that big of a step. Introducing women in the military is good for our country because it's helping men and women become more equal, however this accomplishment is being overshadowed by the sexual assault happening there. I agree with Erica and how this is unfair to women because the military is what makes us feel safe about ourselves and that fact that these women are being harassed by these "protectors" is totally crazy. How are they suppose to feel safe with that? The military has to take these infractions really serious and punish those who commit those disgusting crimes very harshly.
ReplyDelete