Women in Warfare

Sexual Discrimination (in today’s world)

Much argued about topic today

- Exclusion of women from many combat roles seen by some as a form of sexual discrimination

- physical and mental differences of the two sexes

- effect of the presence of the opposite sex on the battlefield

- traditional view of the male soldier

Situation today is better than it once was

- Most countries recruit women to serve in the military

But only a few of these countries allow women to fill active combat roles

Sexual Discrimination (in today’s world) (cont’d)

These countries include Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland (this does not cover all of them)

Other nations allow women to serve in certain Combat Arms positions

- Israel + GB allow women to serve in artillery roles (but exclude them from infantry roles)

Sexual Discrimination (in today’s world)

Argument 1:

Women are not as strong as men, physically, and so would not make ideal soldiers.

Women, generally, do not have as much strength or stamina as men

The bones of women are not as dense as those of a man, making it easier for them to break bones.

In aviation, the female body is not as adept at handling the increased g-forces experienced by combat pilots

Health issues regarding women prevent women from having roles in submarines

Sexual Discrimination (in today’s world)

Argument