Until recently, women in the United States were only able to enlist in military support or intelligence positions and couldn’t physically serve in combat. In 2015, the U.S. Pentagon opened all combat jobs to women, and in 2016, the ban on women serving in close combat roles in the British military was lifted. (In other countries, like Israel, women have been allowed to serve in combat units for much longer). While many people believe that allowing women to serve in combat units is a positive step towards gender equality, there are concerns that it is inappropriate, if not dangerous.
Here are three reasons why women should be able to serve in combat units, and three reasons why they should stick to other military units.
| In Favor | Against |
|---|---|
| The bar is high – for everyone | Potential to misbehave |
| The monopoly on emotions | Political correctness has no place in the military |
| Same job, different title | Don’t fix what isn’t broken |
Women Deserve a Chance in Combat
The bar is high – for everyone
Just like men, women should be allowed to choose how they fight for their country based on their strengths. Joining a combat unit requires meeting high demands regardless of gender; if there are women who are able to meet the same training standards as men, they can only be an asset to their team. Having female troops in every combat role is crucial for intelligence gathering, because they’re naturally able to navigate cultural differences when interacting with local populations.
If the military is looking for the creme de la creme to serve in their units, then why give up on 51% of the candidates upfront?
In Israel, women not only serve in combat units but lead them, too. India has also jumped on the equality bandwagon; its Supreme Court recently passed a ruling allowing women to serve as army commanders. The army mirrors society, and having exceptional women in the army is crucial to the way we want to see society. Any concern about having women in combat units stems from broader attitudes toward gender norms; these can’t begin to be addressed unless change starts at the core: The military.
The monopoly on emotions
The stereotype that women are the more emotional gender is debunked in the military ...