Why do men always bring up the draft when discussing feminism?

Question

I hate to be the one to tell them that there is no draft. That went out with second wave feminism. They don't seem to realize there are a lot of very brave women engaged in military service throughout the world.

Answer 1

I am old enough to remember the draft and its unfairness to those drafted. The rich kids went to college and therefore weren't drafted. Any future draft must apply to the rich as well as the poor, your can complete your education after you served your country, It needs to include females as well as males.
I hate to see anyone forced to join the military. The present war, if it has prove anything it proved that the draft has to be reinstated because America's youth will not join an all volunteer force. The same troops are redeployed in Irag 4, 5 ,times because there is not enough American youth willing to do this job out of a population of over 300 million, That is a National shame.
If the men are no up to doing the job, its time to give the women a chance.

Answer 2

Some of the answers you got don't surprise me ...nevertheless, this list applies perfectly to the country I lived half of my life, therefore I am out in a far away continent, where women are more respected although in politics and high level businesses you generally see male faces. I don't agree with this point though: "20. I can turn on the television or glance at the front page of the newspaper and see people of my own sex widely represented, every day, without exception. " Generally we see a lot of females, but 80% of the time, they are represented as being "sexy", you know, that look, that pose and most of the times blondes, kind of Barbie types, that you also see represented in porn by the way. About the rape issue, it is a fact. I don't have to see any "chart", I KNOW women that have been raped, I know little girls that have been molested. It is NOT an isolated case but several. I don't have enough hands to count them. It doesn't matter how hysterically denying some contributors become. It is a fact and I hope, honestly hope that it NEVER happens to any woman of their own family or to themselves.

Answer 3

For the men who are bringing this up you were not around when the draft was deactivated and simple registration was put in place. SO you don't know what went on then. AND registration is not the same as being drafted. Many women back in the 70's, felt that all 18 year olds should have to register-even females.

My sons are not disposable. However the supposed aim of having a list of able bodied as a potential resource is wrong - many of those registered aren't able bodied. A friend has a 18 year old confined to a wheel chair - to get financial aid for school he had to register. How insane can you get- he is not a candidate for service ever.

As to tudsy and sash you haven't read the right questions today- it been brought up twice already.

Answer 4

Just like the fact that the draft no longer rings true as a valid rationalization, blaming men in general for decisions made that affect the way women are treated is losing it's validity. There are people in powerful positions that should be blamed for they are the ones who make policy. It is no longer a man's world. But it is because feminism has fought the good fight!
It may be time to lay down the sword and be more diplomatic. The issues that need to be dealt with are issues that affect the masses.
We spend way too much energy and brain power on blame.

Should things have changed more dramatically than they were in the 70's? Yes! But it is more productive bringing together both sexes to solve the problems of the world. Most men in this generation are not the same creatures. There is a better mind set out in the world among the male populace.

I think it's time to come together as humans. Being gender indifferent. I am sick of all the fighting in the world.

Answer 5

BABA YAGA just scored points for NOW with me. DANIEL F just summarized most of my position. But, there is one subtle problem with having a draft or even registration for a draft that I think we are not addressing. When a person grows up knowing that they have to register for a process that may require them to take orders from others involving the killing of their fellow human beings, whether they approve or not, it changes their formative perceptions. I believe it causes them to dwell more on the kill or be killed problem, and for some makes the idea of doing violence to others more palatable. Whether that is a good or a bad thing is a separate question. But, is it desirable in a situation where all may vote for either half of the voters to be lacking the requisite thought patterns for the actions the consequences of that vote may entail?
If it matters, my stepdaughter is a three time combat veteran and looks to be going again soon.

Answer 6

It's a legitimate question. There may be no draft now, but there's no guarantee it won't come back at a future date (God forbid!). Yes, there are a lot of very brave servicewomen throughout the world, but they're there now by choice.

Edit: This is NOW's stated position on the draft:

"NOW opposes the reinstatement of registration and draft for both men and women. NOW's primary focus on this issue is on opposition to registration and draft. However, if we cannot stop the return to registration and draft, we also cannot choose between sisters and brothers. We oppose any registration or draft that excludes women as an unconstitutional denial of rights to both young men and women. And we continue to oppose all sex discrimination by the volunteer armed services."

This policy was adopted by the NOW National Board in January 1980.

Answer 7

One thing that should be pointed out that it was men who voted down the idea of registering for Selective Service for young women. One prominent lawmaker at the time said that he felt it would be detrimental to families if women did get drafted. How? Most young women are not married and don't have children. Also, how is it any more detrimental for families if women are drafted but not men? I've never been able to understand that line of thinking. It's actually saying that men are more disposable than women and they're more expendable so it's all right to send them off to war. Statements like these are likely said by those who have no experience whatsoever with the military and don't know anybody who ever served. I admit that what's going in Iraq right now doesn't really have much of an impact on my daily life. I know people who have been over there but that's it. Go back 40 years and the situation was totally different. My father served in Vietnam. I had many friends whose fathers and older brothers served over there. I knew people who lost loved ones and I saw the devastating impact that it had on their lives. That's why I don't wrap myself in the flag and talk about how great war is. It's not. Nobody should be forced to fight. That's why I don't support having the draft for anyone.

Answer 8

The issue isn't the draft, it's combat duty. And it was one of the issues raised by some women to discourage other women from supporting the Equal Rights Amendment. And as far as I know, combat duty is still a major consideration for many women to not support the ERA!

Is it really fair to blame men, when women themselves (by lack of majority) don't and seemingly can't present a unified front for the advancement of all women in all classes. You can't even do it here. Fighting battles with anti-feminists here that can't be won, that works! If feminist women can't present a convincing argument for equality to all women, how will you convince anti-feminist men? If the context of this question is irrational arguments, please fix your own. I'd just like to see more coordinated thinking here (on both sides).

Shingoshi Dao
2007.Nov.11 Sun, 16:54 --800 (PST)

http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071110152730AAz43ge&r=w
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071108025725AAkBC5U&r=w
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20071108025725AAkBC5U&r=w

And I guess some of you'll think that I'm looking for a fight. I'M NOT!!
But that won't stop the thumbs down.

Answer 9

I think they like the idea of a draft lifting women's skirts, much like it did to Marilyn Monroe.

Seriously though, you cannot say it is only men who make that argument. I've heard plenty of women use it as well, and also say they would never vote for a female President, for the same reason. HOWEVER, (and this is a BIG however) many of these same people are the very same ones who have roadblocked military women who WANT to fight in combat, fly fighter jets, and sail on ships.

Misogynists cannot have it both ways----choose an argument or get on board with equal rights. COMPLETE equal rights.

BTW, I have always felt women should be draft-eligible as well. There are many jobs we can do (as we proved in other wars as well as this one).

Answer 10

I never bring up the Draft when discussing feminism. There are plenty of other double standards without going into that--especially since most people aren't old enough to remember when we had one.