do women have a place on the front lines (3 part)?

Question

are women an asset or a liability whilst fighting alongside fronline troops ?
can they endure the same pressures and trauma as their male colleagues, and are they more fearfull of the possible consequences should they be taken prisoner,i personally think it is a bad idea and places them in greater danger than other personnel, they can still act as a supporting role by going into defence rather than attack, i am NOT saying they are not capable and able to do the job so please do not think i am being sexist

i must apologise to our american friends, i forgot there were americans on yahoo q+a this was really aimed at uk service personnel, and i would like to point out i was not refering to the risk of rape, more the pressures and stress of capture and the emotions assiciated with it,(sorry)

Answer 1

Those women that are technically capable, are few and far between, and probably reveal a tendency towards masculinity. None of this is relevant, however, because men operate more effectively and efficiently when women are not present. Some men may want women there, but probably for the wrong reasons.

As part of a fighting machine, men bond around masculine qualities. These are diminished/ eliminated when females are present. The whole dynamic changes within any mixed group, when, instead of camaraderie and mutual support, you tend to find that men will NATURALLY compete with each other, and show a natural concern for the safety of female troops. This, of course, will be even more relevant when romantic relationships develop. Women, also, have a tendency to personalise issues more than men, which is more likely to lead to petty bickering and division. We have to remember that lives are at stake, it is not the same as a petty office argument. I often ask myself, what sort of women would want to be on the front line anyway? Do they have personal reasons for wanting to shoot at men. I have already stated that women tend to personalise things more than men. Is it a good thing to be fostering in the nations females? Again, strident feminists have got their way, when somebody should have stood up to them. Another point, perhaps, is that women have a tendency toward hormonal fluctuations, which affects mood.

I agree with the questioner, that they shouldn't be involved. In fact, I can't think of a single supporting reason. You have already made the point about the psychological stresses and strains and the fear of capture. I also think that it is in the nature of females to want to change any rule that doesn't suit them, and this may already have led to the lowering of standards to achieve entry into some of the elite forces. I also think that fathers who bring up there daughters up like boys, have a lot to answer for, in this regard.

Answer 2

It depends on how the lady was brought up. They can most likely take the same pressures and trauma, but when the bullets start flying, and women start becoming casualties, the male marines and soldiers will flock over and try to help, not fighting the enemies attacking. I think, and believe, not a fact, but if a female marine or soldier is taken prisoner, she could possibly be raped, tortured and then some.

Answer 3

I don't know if women will ever be allowed to serve in the infantry. My husband is an infantry soldier, I know a lot of what he does daily. I know there is no way I could carry all of the equipment that he is required to carry. Some of the men even have a hard time with it. There is a point I want to make though. Why is it when a male soldier is wounded and he is surrounded by his comrades to protect him it is heroic, but when it is a wounded female solider in the same situation it is percieved to be weakness to protect her? Until those types of stereotypes change, women will never be allowed in front line positions.

Answer 4

I'm currently in Afghanistan and I say if any American wants to serve there country and are physically and mentally able then they should have the right to choose what ever job they want. For those of you who think women can't handle combat I could introduce you to combat vets here with me right now. If trained like a warrior, your a warrior. I've seen many people over here, both sexes in support roles that couldn't handle the true combat. I've also met women who are MPs, Medics and helicopter pilots that the enemy should be very afraid of. In WWII many of Russia's best snipers were female and they even had female infantry. The saw combat and held their own against Germany's best, which was pretty darn good. The question you need to ask is: Could US fighting men handle women on the front line?

Answer 5

Only in Hollywood does it work, Men's attitudes would need to change first to allow woman on the front-line in first in combat roles, many female soldiers in support roles have found themselves in firefights and situations where they hold their own and even go beyond that to merit medals and recognition, so they can do the job. They would need to be accepted 100% as a team mate and not be overprotected by the rest of their sections or Platoons to be properly effective and pose no extra risk to a section.

Soldiers do worry about being sexually assaulted as prisoners of war and if anyone says this is rubbish then why did we discuss it so much before going to the Gulf the first time, even to the point of putting one in your own head than getting caught and buggered!

Answer 6

Well its a question of do women have the same to offer as a soldier as a man does. (The old we are all equal debate)

And by way of soldier I mean infantry, front line in the trench.

I think very few women in my experience have what it takes to be an infantry soldier, life is tough at the pointy end. Soldiers carry a huge amount of weight into battle, ammunition, food, weapon, body armour. The Royal Marines marched (Yomped) miles in the Falklands with over 100lbs on their backs, and when they got to were they where going they fought a battle. (Very very few women that I have met could carry 50lbs that distance never mind 100lbs)

Though women do serve in the front line in different roles, Royal Signals, Int Corps, Royal Logistics Corp and Royal Artillery to name a few. They do place themselves in danger mearly by serving in Iraq in Afghanistan and women cope with stress a lot better than men, we just get stressed and die at about 60, that why they out live us!

In summary they just don't have the physical make up, as a general rule, to carry out the role of a Para, Marine or Infantry soldier.

Answer 7

Every person who goes into the military takes an oath to defend the Country and the Constitution. I doesn't matter if they are man or woman, the front lines is for all service men and women.

Answer 8

Like the Marine's motto-The Few, The Proud. If a woman can prove that she can handle what guys goes through, then why not?! Let her show her will, determination & inner and physical strength to be able to fight the front lines firstly. I would protect any wounded fighter regardless of sex and race because they're eating the same crap with you. The bond is unimaginable opposed to civilian bonding.

Answer 9

women should be a part of the front line. if i were in battle it would be good to know there is a nurse willing ready and able to soothe my wounds and apply me with coffee, women have as much use in battle as the st johns ambulance or buddists. don't take my word for it, take the word of women who have won the george cross or purple heart

Answer 10

Women have been fighting for equality for years, so if they want to go to the front line and have the nerve to face the horrific sights, then they should, a lot of women can be stronger than men