My Strategic Position

I have come to the conclusion that women should not be drafted into the military, at least not as in the traditional meaning of the word draft. Women as a whole gender are not physically or psychologically prepared for such positions. Nonetheless, women should serve their country like the men do. They should perform civil service. This is not to say that I agree with socialist plans, but I believe in serving one's country in some way. I need to see how this could be carried out practically. Should it involve serving in government agencies, hospitals, and schools? Much more thought is needed on this topic, and those thoughts should take place on a brain with a little more sleep.

Thoughts and Research...

Okay, honestly, I am exhausted and not really interested in thinking too much about the draft and women at this time. I don't know what to say about desiring for women to keep their legal rights to vote and hold office and not requiring them to register for the draft as long as men are. I believe that there are fundamental differences between men and women, but how do I justify letting women have the rights but not the responsibilities that have traditionally belonged to men.

There are many reasons for not drafting women. Physiological differences, traditional family and societal roles, unit cohesion, and the potential for sexual abuse all are worth consideration. What is the right answer?

I am too tired to think about it more tonight. I hope something will click in my brain by tomorrow.

Discussion

I have stumbled over another person contemplating the issue of drafting women (http://matthewdicks.blogspot.com/). Theoretically, I agree. If women seek equality under the law, they should be willing to bear the responsibilities equally as well. We must be consistent with our ideologies.

Personally, I differ in my beliefs. I believe that women are equal, but different than men. Men are to protect women, and women are to support men. I belive that fighting for women is a part of men's design. Culture has changed over the centuries, but truth has not. Therefore, we cannot say that because times have changed womens roles have changed too. This should not be!

Paper

I have been working on the next stage of my research paper. I will be very happy when "Beth's niche in cyberspace" becomes my space after the paper is done. I am learning some things while I research and a write. First of all, my outline is on my closet door - in the form of sticky notes. It is really neat how that works. Well, I need to get back to my funky closet door. The rough draft of the paper is due tomorrow, but I think it will be ready. God is being gracious to me!

More personal posts are on their way! I promise to write one some day that doesn't even mention drafting women or school at all!

Take care-

Sources on women and the draft

Here are some resourceful sources on women and the draft. I have viewed some and will peruse them more later.

http://atheism.about.com/b/a/042263.htm
http://atheism.wpadmin.about.com/?comments_popup=42263

http://www.korean-war.com/Archives/2003/01/msg00042.html

Here is a whole bibliography of sources

http://www-cgsc.army.mil/carl/resources/biblio/wic.asp

And a group discussing this topic.

http://groups.google.com/group/soc.men/browse_thread/thread/d1cfa80c729984c2/8afc01e5e1474cfa%238afc01e5e1474cfa

I hope these help and you are interested in the topic.

(A personal post will soon follow. Research is good, but if you know me, I know that is not why you are most likely checking my blog.)

Have a good evening!

Good morning...

As I continue to research the draft and work with my wonderful research partner Diarra, I am finding even more complexities inherent in the issue of drafting women. To be brief, whether or not women should be drafted to fill the role of combatants or whether they should be drafted to other roles of serving their country can be two different questions. (In the second case, the draft would be a completey different kind of draft that is currently being discussed.)

http://www.imdiversity.com/villages/woman/dialogue_opinion_letters/pns_draft_is_coming_0804.asp

This source discusses relatively current bills that would (or would have) reinstate the draft.

Opinions about women in the draft...

http://www.janelovestarzan.com/?p=492

The above blog gives a many personal responses to the proposal of drafting women. One thing I love about blogs is the honesty with which people speak. Even if theoretically someone agrees with a specific ideology, they can admit that practically they are opposed to it. Check out the blog to see what I mean.

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/wars/a/draft.htm

Here is a good article dealing with the recent history of draft bills and the general feelings held by government officials regarding the draft. The draft scare may very likely be a real tactic, but for what purpose? To make the people of America desire to pull out of Iraq?