If a woman passes all of the same requirements for combat as a man, why can't she serve?

Question

I hear some people say 'well a woman can't compete with a man who is 6 foot 4', etc...although I know many a large man who has been brought to his knees by a woman, my question is, should this be the requirement for ALL soldiers, or just the female ones? If a woman meets the SAME requirements as a man, why is she prohibited from combat?

is it gender discrimination?

Ted, sounds like a good argument for keeping MEN out of the military.

I already DO work in a male dominated industry, whose roote are in the military. And I have workde these past 20 years to rpove things that the men around me don't have to prove, or can't prove. And I have changed the minds of several self avowed sexists, once they meet me. The culture comes from the way things are run, and can be changed with the changing of the guard. I have PERSONAL experience with this.

an OB WILL see a man! And I would rather have a woman, than NOBODY coming to get me!

JOHN! Thanks for ANSWERING the question!

you don't see more women missing on the news because we care more about female lives, there are more because women are targeted as victims more often! omg, this is starting to hurt...

Answer 1

If they're capable and want to serve, they should have that opportunity. They serve in Israel.

Answer 2

Maam are you in the military right now?

If not, go enlist and tell the recruiteryou want infantry and immediate duty in Iraq. They will send you. If you can learn Farsi, even better.
Females are faster, their reflexes are quicker, they utilize more of the oxygen they breathe, their visual acuity is sharper, they live longer, they have fewer heart attacks and strokes and lots look real nice.

...this is the weaker sex?

I was in the Army, some of the best soldiers I ever met and some of the most useless lumps of meat I ever met were females in the US Army. Physically, to get the same PT scrore they do fewer push ups, fewer sit ups and can take longer to run 2 miles. It's known as "gender norming" and as long as females are given preferential treatment, they will not be in combat. Females in the service, if they dont like the life after theyve tried it for a while, can also get out immediately, all they have to do is get pregnant, married or not. Females enlisting to go into combat areas must be willing to have an implant or whatever which stops the chances of getting pregnant. Men cant get out when their wives are pregnant, so it's sexism. Otherwise, there are again two standards and again, see above.

Answer 3

I suppose it is gender discrimination, but I look at it like this: I do not want a woman firefighter trying to carry me out of a ten story building. There better be a big strong man coming to save me. Some discrimination is based on actual abilities. Men do not have babies, it doesn't mean there's discrimination because an OB won't see them.

PS: Well, if the woman can't carry my unconscious form we both die, so that would be kind of a waste. And Gynos don't see men. Why would they? Going to give them a pap smear. lol

Answer 4

Of course it is gender discrimination. Men are stronger on average than women. Testosterone plays a big part in this. On top of that, men naturally go to the defense of women. How effective would it be for a man to fight along side someone he was more interested in defending than himself, or his country. There may be some problems still. I'm not big on feminism. Truth be told, we are not 100% equal. Women have some better qualities than men and men have some better qualities than women. It's just the way it is.

IMO, it evens out.

Answer 5

I believe that she should be allowed to serve... I am all about equal rights...

That being said, it is unlikely that you will see female soldiers on the front line, however, because, quite frankly, the American public just isn't ready to see dead women on the battlefield. It's a matter of public opinion, and, sad as it is, the life of a female soldier is worth more than the life of a dozen men. If we have women fighting and dying on the front lines it really demoralizes the public... who simply cannot bear the thought of a dead woman. When they see a dead woman they immediatly think of their mothers, sisters, or wives. That's why you always see stories on the TV about missing women, but rarely about missing men. Call it chivilry, call it sexism, call it what you will... it is more devistating to loose one woman than it is to loose a whole company of men.

Furthermore, another concern is the safety of women soldiers... if a man is captured he may be tortured, if a woman is captured she will most likely be raped... the American public is unlikly to accept any situation where we are puting women in danger of being raped!

So, it's not about capibilities... many women are just as capible as men, but rather public perception... and sorry to say, that perception is not likely to change soon.

Answer 6

well, among other reasons, i'd hazard a guess that since women are vulnerable to being raped, by whichever enemy (this is a traditional form of revenge, used to demoralize the victim while gratifying the perpetrator), and also by their own 'brothers in arms' (it happens, it's not supposed to, but it does happen), this would make it harder for any woman in a combat situation than for a man. most men will never be faced with the possibility of rape, even those who are captured, since the mentality of men, in general, is to fear man-on-man sexual assault.
most of the other reasons i've heard, like body mass, upper body strength, endurance, and the like are pretty specious, this is the only unique situation which could differentiate between the sexes.

Answer 7

I agree she shouldn't be disbarred if she can handle it,

But women generally can't keep up with men physically, its just the way we are built.

Also there are a lot of logistical problems associated with women in combat. You would have to have more privacy, there would have to be more done to ensure she wasn't taken advantage of, etc.

Its not as easy as saying she can keep up.

Yes, hich, the military does openly discriminate. Right or wrong it is what we do, against fat people, against gays, against women, etc.

The military must never lose a war. It must do everything in its power to ensure they always win. Once you join the military you will realize they don't care what you think, they just want you to follow orders and do your job. Anything to create controversy no matter what it is, works against the military's number one function.

Answer 8

It is not the action of the woman that is mainly questioned, it is the actions of her fellow male soldiers in dealing with her or not reacting as they would with a male soldier. There is also the question of public response to captured female soldiers.

Answer 9

They do serve. If you mean light infantry or something of that nature, I suppose they could, but you would be hard-pressed to find many women who could hump all day and night with infantry equipment.

Answer 10

I have known some bad *** kickin women ! Hell yes, let em fight in a combat unit!!