Although the military is undergoing mental changes, it is still relying on traditional gender roles. Images of tall, strong, and even masculine soldiers exemplify the ideal military man (TEDx Talks, 2015). He is also expected to be tough, aggressive, and willing to take another human’s life. The woman’s role in this narrative is to inspire her partner to protect her (Kaminer, 1997). These gender norms, maintained throughout the decades, are now to be scrutinized.
Gender norms are culturally and historically approved allocation of roles between men and women. Institutions create policies that compel members to conform even when they disagree (Wade & Ferree, 2019). For example, the military requires uniforms, grooming, and physical fitness, which are more relatable to men.
However, Katrina Hodge wears forms, scrunches her hair back, and does not apply makeup to follow them (Hoyle, 2009). Additionally, the content of training requires force, where women score lower and receive more injuries (Philipps, 2015). When militaries distribute roles, they assign women more caregiving responsibilities and push men into the field. This way, the organization manipulates gender roles, disregarding people’s abilities.
Women in the military were opposed for both physical and moral reasons. Women have less endurance, reinforcing the idea of feminine weakness and forcing them to train more (Philipps, 2015). Their presence is also perceived to disrupt the team’s unity, matching the belief of female sexualization, but they should not act as men to decrease this tension (Hoyle, 2009).
Moreover, traditional motherhood distances women from the military as they require leave during pregnancy (Kaminer, 1997). All these reasons are attributed to the traditional image of submissive and vulnerable females, who frequently face harassment in the military. Katrina Jodge argues that they can serve in the military without compromising their femininity, provided this does not conflict with their duties (Hoyle, 2009). Performance in the military should be the key determinant, but not one’s gender.
The more the military promotes traditional gender norms, the more it loses talent. It results in a decreased pool of candidates willing to join the army, and anyone with excellent endurance but who does not fit these norms becomes unrecognized and discriminated against (Kaminer, 1997). Meanwhile, if people challenge institutions, they face resistance and the need for cultural shifts, which require time to relieve. Eventually, the results will be a more inclusive and nourishing environment with diverse individuals with enhanced techniques and skills.
References
Hoyle, A. (2009). Combat Barbie: Soldier is new Miss England as Linford Christie’s niece hands back crown after nightclub ‘brawl’. The Daily Mail.
Kaminer, W. (1997). Demasculinizing the Army. The New York Times Archives.
Philipps, D. (2015). Gender integration of Marines brings out unusually public discord. The New York Times.
TEDx Talk. (2015). The pitfalls of masculinity in the military and at home | Adam Johnson | TEDxFurmanU. YouTube.
Wade L. & Ferree M.M. (2019). Gender: Ideas, interactions, institutions (2nd ed.). W. W. Norton & Company Publishing.