Gender Inequality In The Military

Gender is so pervasive as part of our everyday routine lives and applied within every aspect of society. This is why it’s is easily forgotten that gender is created, therefore socially constructed since the time of birth in most cases. Furthermore, it refers to the maleness or femaleness of the individual, those behaviors, characteristics, and expectations of how males and females are supposed to act; all individuals unconsciously do gender. However, this may become restrictive in many ways. There are precise dealings that only women will experience while there are also precise dealings that only men will experience thus creating gender inequality. Much public awareness of the military comes from images and films traditionally containing a

Initially women were only able to serve as nurses, did not have rank, did not wear the uniform and were not referred to as Soldiers. During this time, the field of nursing was predominantly women, therefore there was a need for the admission of nurses in order to attend to injured Soldiers. World War I witnessed the admission of the first non-nursing servicewomen however they received the same treatment as the nurses initially did. During this period women served in feminized administrative occupations such as clerks and typists in order to alleviate having to train men. Nonetheless once the war had ended women were sent back to the civilian world with the exception of some nurses. At the turn of World War II, there was further need for women in the Armed Forces, it was an event that brought more women than ever before. Between 1942 and 1945, the United States brought in more than 350,000 uniformed

At one point in recruits were asked to take full body photographs and only the best was accepted. Rather than learning how to use a weapon they learned how to apply make-up and conduct themselves as ladies. Physical training was mean to maintain their curvaceous appearance rather that become strong like men. Women also continued to maintain only administrative jobs, such limitation also limited promotions and other assignments. These limitations have been deemed unfair for the careers of women. Women have continuously been face by much judgement for many reasons. They are believed to be weaker and their substandard performance overlooked by many. The success of women in the military has been tainted by prejudiced comments. It wasn’t until the 70’s that women actually served as fully integrated member of the military. Moreover, it was during the Gulf war the world had come to the realization that we had shifted from an all-male armed force to a coed family friendly environment. Though, things have not been perfect as we continue to aim achieve full equity. The differences between men and women should be used as an avenue to achieve operational