How would a sociologist view the reasons for the uneven representation in the military?

Answer 1

Depends on which factor you are looking at.

Some of the uneven representation in the military:

1.White males are over represented in combat arms.
2. The poor are under represented in the US military
3. The middle class are over represented in the US military
4. The upper middle class is over represnted in the US military.

5. Asians are under represented in the US military.
6. African american recruits are under represented in the US military.

7. African american's are over represented in career military.
8. Minorities are over represented in service and support jobs

I bet those aren't the facts you expected to see.

Some reasons given for some of the above.

1. White males don't look at the military as training for a civilan career, they look at is as more patriotism, following family foot steps, adventure.

2. The poor are under represented, because most do not have the educational achievment needed to enlist. A high school diploma.

3. By far, most recruits in every racial category, are middle class, with family incomes from $35,000 to $100,000.

4. The upper middle class, $100,000 to $250,000 a yr family income, are over represented. generally the same reasons as #1 above.

5. The asian community puts more emphsis on educational achievement, so most go to college.

6. Since 2001, african american recruiting numbers have decreased, non support for the war in Iraq is the largest factor.

7. For all its faults, the military is alot less tolerant of racism than the civilian world, and race is not seen as a hurtle to advancement. So the reenlist rate of african americans is higher than any other racial category.

8. Most minorties, enlist to learn jobs that directly translate into the civilian world. They enlist to learn a trade.

You can find more information at the following links.

Answer 2

The military has always been non-representative of the population as a whole based normally on economics; race is involved because the blacks and Hispanics are on average lower on the economics scale. The only time frames this was not true, or less so then most other times, was during World War Two but the military was massively expanded and a widespread draft was in effect. Even during that time period exceptions for college students and certain industries positions meant those drafted were typically middle-class or lower economic scale. The draft used after Worls War Two had many more exceptions be excused and again those mainly were advantageous to the higher economic classes. The military is a good place to get money for education, a job skill and, in some cases, a place to be for a little while and decide what you want to do with your life; at this time with a conflict going on the latter is not as true but in the late 70's until 9/11 it was a third reason for joining. Since the higher economic groups do not have to concern themselves as much with money for eduacation or job training the military appeals to them less. The lower economic groups mostly racial minorities, plains staters, and small town mid-west are more likely to join for those reasons. An officer I worked with in the Marines did a masters paper on the make up of the military and interveiwed many service members to find out why, not just Marines took leave and went to Navy, Army and Air Forces bases also and found the one factor across the board was the economics side of it-a huge majority in all services were lower-middle class or lower and in-ordinate percentages were from rural areas when compared to the general population. So race would be a factor but it would be tied more in economics and even geographis; if you can't go to college and don't want to stay in the small farming town you live in the military is a place to start. What would sociologists make of it-Probably all different views which would depend on what they intended to find to start with. The only answer would be universal government service with no exceptions-notice government and not military service, and that will not happen.

Answer 3

Tell the sociologist that there IS NO uneven representation in the US Military!! What military is
the sociologist talking about??

Answer 4

This is just a re-run of the old myths about VietNam. Most of you are way to young to realize it.

As the data will be incomplete until this adventure is over I will submit data about VietNam. Most are aware of those myths. Data shot it all down. It was just many years after the fact. The 2nd link has some data about VietNam era suicides, employment, earnings. Please do not insult any ones intelligence by suggesting that all the homeless are Vets either. That is a big pile of Bravo Sierra.

The last link will be a DOD chart of Military Casualties from 1980 to 2006. This does disprove the suicide rant going on right now.

The real question is "What would a Psychologist think of people asking questions just to enrage others and then criticize those answers?"

SSG US Army 73-82

Answer 5

There is a differential representation by several demographics. Religion, income, ethnicity, and place of residence all affect the decision to join the military.
Christians are more likely to join the military because they feel that serving their country is an important moral duty, to preserve freedom, etc. Also, they do not fear death.
Poor people are more likely to be patriotic and conservative than their wealthier, liberal neighbors. That is why you will see poor whites joining the military.
Urban poor are more likely to join for financial reasons, and to "escape" the city, where they are likely to get shot on the street. These urban poor are more likely to be black.
Rural people are more conservative and patriotic, and more likely to join the military to protect their freedoms. They are also more likely to be poor and Christian, so this confounds the results a little bit.
The least likely person to join is a rich white liberal, because they are weenies of privilege. They would rather whine, complain, and indulge themselves and let other people protect their freedom.

Answer 6

Uneven representation? Care to elaborate or provide a link to the data?

Answer 7

After 30 years in the military.....I have no clue as to you mean by "uneven representation".... I think you are a victim of some bad information. Assuming you are referring to a racial imbalance, I found the Army to be pretty much reflective of the American society as a whole.
EXAMPLE:
It is assumed that th majority of military volunteers come from the poor and uneducated.....NOT TRUE....the percentage of minorities in the service pretty much reflects the percentage found in civilian life.
It is assumed that Vietnam veterans are ashamed of their war....NOT TRUE....91% are proud of their service and 74% would do it again even knowing the outcome.....
It is assumed the Vietnam veteran came back from the war a drugged out wreck...Many ending up homeless on the streets......NOT TRUE......Vietnam veterans have a lower unemployment rate than non-vets.....Vietnam vets have on average a paycheck 18% higher than non-vets..... fewer Vietnam veterans end up in jail than non-vets ( .5 %) As to drug use.....pretty much the same across the board for Vets and non-vets
FINALLY The story is we drafted or recruited blacks to fight and die in a white man's war......NOT TRUE.....87% of all deaths in Vietnam were white

You need to stop believing all the anti-war crap you read in the liberal press...

Answer 8

How do you mean "uneven representation". Racial, economic? You need to be a little more specific.

Answer 9

Probably they would look at the economic circumstances. Poorer people have less opportunity for employment so the military offers a chance for a job. Economic advantage is tied to race--white people and Asians are usually, statistically, more prosperous, more advantaged, than non-whites including Blacks and Hispanics.

Answer 10

1000 Sociologists would have 1000 different views