Should women have to register for the draft?


NrrdGrrl! Discussion Forum: Just Plain Talk: Should women have to register for the draft?
By El on Wednesday, July 1, 1998 - 08:42 pm:

Should women have to register for the draft like have to at 18? I got into a big debate about this one recently. What do you think?


By Clueless on Friday, July 3, 1998 - 12:35 pm:

What`s the draft???


By Laurel on Monday, July 6, 1998 - 10:19 am:

I don't think women or men should register for the draft. I'm a pacifist.


By MonkeyGod on Tuesday, July 7, 1998 - 11:10 am:

When woman have equal representation in the government and they start making wars by themselves, then they should have to sign up for the draft. Until then, it's the guys' faults, let the guys clean it up.


By Ramna on Monday, August 3, 1998 - 06:27 pm:

You don't think women have equal representation in the government? Women have every right, and every chance to be whatever they want in the government, a woman has run for vice president with a male candidate, but was voted down. But despite all this, I will agree with you that I don't think women should have to register for the draft, don't ask me why, but I just don't see half the army as female. Probably a testosterone thing that guys fight, and sometimes even enjoy it, but most girls I know are alot more squeemish, and that is dangerous in times of war. Like for instance in class I have actually seen a girl screem because she got a zit. I can't imagine what she would do with a gun. I'm not saying all girls are like this, to my understanding, the women in the military do a fine job, but in my oppinion it isn't for all women.


By Gilmoure on Sunday, August 23, 1998 - 05:39 pm:

You'd be suprised what the military can do to make one want to fight and such. When you get right down to it, most people aren't into going around hurting and killing people. The military tries to change that, though they don't want wildmen either. They need controlled agression. I'ts kinda' weird.

As far as women in combat, I served with a medical unit in Desert Storm in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait. Our unit was about 60/40 women/men. There were people who had trouble with being shelled and shot at but it wasn't one sex or the other. And when it came time to carry patients with shooting going on, no difference there either. Granted, we weren't attacking anyone, but both sexes held up under stress.

I've also taken martial arts from both men and women. I'ts all in the person. Turns out I'm not that agressive at it, or even in computer games where you are out trying to shoot your friends and such (Quake, Doom, etc.). I'm just not that agressive of a guy. Hope I'm never drafted and have to go kill people I don't have a problem with. Seeing that movie Pvt. Ryan has an impact on how 'cool' war is.

G


By Ranma on Sunday, August 23, 1998 - 06:21 pm:

yeah, that movie was a very acurate portrayl of d-day i was told. and look at that, most of the time I try to act hard and everything, but I'm not sure I could take that, but then again, I guess that is why they train you, to make sure you can handle it.


By Endora on Monday, August 31, 1998 - 09:48 pm:

On a somewhat related note--about a week ago, I was watching a tv show where a veteran stated he opposed women in combat because he felt men would be inclined to chivalry which might interfere w/the actions of the men. He said the Israeli Army had run into this problem early on. I'm not very familiar w/the history of the Israeli Army, so I can't say, one way or the other, if this is accurate.

What do you all think of this? I'd never even thought about it as an issue. I thought of the women in combat isssue as more of a if the person has the ability/skills to the job, he or she should be able to do it.

I guess this question falls into 2 parts:

1) Does the "chivalry problem" exist?

2) If so, what's the best way to deal w/it?

I know some of the posters in NrrdGrrl are either in the military or have been in the military. I'm especially interested in hearing what they think of all of this.

Some of my relatives & friends have been in the military, but I've never had any experience w/it myself. IMHO, if the "chivalry problem" does exist, it's sure not receiving the same news coverage as other incidents. Let's face it, the women at The Citadel & Tailhook weren't complaining about guys holding doors open for them. I don't mean to stereotype all military men. My stepbrother is in the military & he'd never harass a woman, yet he's had to sit through harassment lectures, etc. He thinks the best way to handle harassment would be to state the policies then discipline people who disobey it.


By Gilmoure on Tuesday, September 1, 1998 - 12:13 am:

Great acts of chilvary were done during World War II by men for men. Audey Murphey is one example. When you get right down to it and your life and others are being threatend, you see all life as precious, even as you may strive to kill your enemy to keep yourself or others alive. From my limited experiences, there isn't time to think of what sex a commrade is, you just pray that everyone makes it through.

G


By Titania99 on Monday, September 7, 1998 - 10:52 pm:

I think that if they made women and men register for the draft they would have to make many new law provisions that it just wouldn't be worth it. For instance...if there was a family what would happen if both parents got drafted and both parents never came home? PROBLEM!
OK, i am going to deviate from the topic...and say someting that is very possibly super unfeminist...don't you think that war...as in actual fighting (not medical relief) is asking a woman to give up her most basic instincts as a mother and provider?


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