Most women will never experience being a member of a a member of a trained cohesive unit operating in a continuing situation of eminent threat and danger. Those who have not will never understand, either rationally or emotionally, what it is like to be a member of a military unit in time of war or imminent threat. People are trained to do their jobs, and all of the members of th group depend on everyone else thrusting all else aside and doing just is expected of them. It is a bond of trust, mutual protection, mutual duty, mutual respect – even deep friendships which will exist in the minds of comrades in arms as long members of the unit live. Such bonds lead to individual and group acts of heroism, bravery, and endurance which would normally be beyond the limits of most.
I sometimes wish that more women could experience such situations. It would enable them to be more understanding, and would expand the limits of their performance and self-perceived limits of performance and endurance. It would also enable them to better understand the emotional scars of prolonged exposure to danger.
Not to be disrespectful, but this reads like some kind of "men are superior because..." male chauvinistic rant! And this is coming from a fellow member of the male species!
There is Absolutely NO difference in what men and women are capable of mentally... And There are PLENTY of women that have experienced horrible things every bit as bad and worse then what you describe! And it's certainly been shown that men are no better at handling the emotional scars of those things over time. As a matter of fact, a women is MUCH more likely to seek help for PTSD and emotional problems then men are...
Men have been the pillars of War simply because of the physical differences inherent to them as well as society and culture standards. But women soldiers all over the world have proven they are EVERY bit as able and capable of ALL the things you think they "can't experience" and feel sorry they can't participate in....
Believe me when I tell you there are countless women who have been to war and feel all the bonds and have been every bit as heroic as any man...
No. That is not the case at all. In many ways, women are superior to men, as a whole. As a whole, they are more caring, more respectful, equally as intelligent as men, more likely to act on things that matter to them, and better communicators. Most of the people I have truly respected in my lifetime have been women. I simply see what I describe is something that the majority of women have not experienced and do not fully comprehend. It is simply a tempering experience which, if one withstands it, builds character and wisdom.
I wish men would be able to understand rape, sexual abuse and molestation, lower pay for the same work, posts like this. Etc, etc..
Women are police officers, firemen, national guard , and military...
I understand those things and I abhor all predatory behavior, including sexual, as well as discrimination against women in any form. . I know that a few women take on those roles you mention, but not the great majority.
@wordywalt what difference does that make? Women give birth, do any men understand that? Can a man choose to give birth in order to understand it?
I wish no men had to face that situation. I was in the Army and I wouldn't wish that on anyone who didn't want to be there, which I didn't. I hated every fucking minute of it. That was some of the most moronic crap I have ever endured. It has to be worse now that it is all volunteer army. Women face a stressful situation walking through a dark parking lot, something I would not hesitate to do. That is just one example. I am sure the ladies here could give you a long list of stressful situations we do not deal with just based on gender.
I suspect you under-estimate some of the situations that women have had to, and do, function. Life and it’s challenges is not localised to military conditions.
Camaraderie and discipline under difficult circumstances is not an exclusive male domain.
The difference is that most women do not typically face their stressful situations as a member of a cohesive group. That was my point.
@wordywalt ...and the problem with women because of that is?
@Geoffrey51 Who said there is a problem? Not me.
@wordywalt you said “ It would enable them to be more understanding, and would expand the limits of their performance and self-perceived limits of performance and endurance.”
Sounds as though you have a problem with what you perceive to be women’s limitations.
@Geoffrey51 You seem to be a person in search of a problem.
@wordywalt Ok, if you say so!
Personally, I did. I wouldn't wish it on anyone. It helps that I was young and stupid. There are some really sick minds and warped personalities that tend to gravitate towards the military. I was not a good fit. However, it has helped me to better recognize BS or mind washing when I hear/see it. And guess who uses mind washing techniques? Churches, sales forces, sports teams. Luckily those groups are usually not well armed.