Women and the Draft

[MikeDubreuil]

This was originaly posted in the Draft thread but was "polluting" it.

Things like the draft bring me to the following conclusion: women should not have the right to vote or hold public office.

I find it interesting that women want equal rights; yet, they don't have to be a part of the draft. Why isn't there a feminist movement to allow women into the draft?

Let's see some intelligent discussion on the issue.

[Ashley Weed]

[Quote108th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 89]To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.[/quote]


I thought that might be useful for continued discussion, and I wanted to make point from it at the least.

As for women's voting rights, and equal opportunity, the current write up for a draft does state the "fair game" of the use of women. (I apologize for the lack of words). I thouroughly believe for so many years, women were not allowed to do such "dirty work" that would be found if drafted, because man did not think they were capable. Through settler times, women were possessions - I do a great deal of genealogical research and you will find on a majority of grave markers from early times "his wife, or my wife", as this is not common practice in recent days. Time evolved, more womens movements have occured, and more has been done. In WWII, the woman was a major role in society. Here on the homeland, she was producing war materials day after day in the factories, and providing entertainment in such ways as the All American Girls Baseball League. Since WWII, we have seen an overwhelming change of the role of the woman in society, it is quite frequent that women have a great equcation, and can compete against their male counterparts. Therefore, I think if our Congress believes it is necissary to reinstate a Draft, then I hope all women will hold the ground that was gained for them through all these years, and take on the new role.

[Billfred]

Well, the SSS classifications allow for classifying males in non-combat roles. I don't think that it'd be much of a stretch to have classifications for women in an everything-but-infantry status. Obvious exceptions, of course, going to mothers (probably falling under hardship status) and the like.

I believe that most women are fully capable of anything the men can do, sometimes better. And I'm pretty sure that the main opposition to the idea would come from the anti-draft camp, which would be arguing against it anyway.

[Lisa Perez]

(GRR. My computer crashed and just deleted my whole shpiel. Anywho.)

The reason that there are hardly any feminist movements for the drafts is because of the fact that feminists have been historically known to support peace: http://college.hmco.com/history/read...acemovemen.htm

The Constitution states that no right to vote shall be denied an American citizen on the basis of sex. Some take the loose interpretation of the constitution and say that this "right" can be extended to different aspects of a woman's life, as well. Seeing this, there can be more than one interpretation to the draft. On one hand, the draft can be the right that the Constitution discusses, and it would be up to the individual to protect the liberty of her nation.

On the other hand, the draft can be seen as an invasion on the individual liberty that the Constitution states it would grant any American citizen, in this case, women.

[MikeDubreuil]

It's been quite a while...

When I took the SAT I remember only males having to complete a section on registering for a military draft. Is that correct?

[Yan Wang]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

It's been quite a while...

When I took the SAT I remember only males having to complete a section on registering for a military draft. Is that correct?

I certainly did not have to do that when I took it this past March.

[Joe Matt]

Scary times... I feel like siging 'White Rabbit' for no reason... woah, anyway....

Yes, women should be in any future draft. While I'm not sexist, raceist, or other not-good-ist, I think that when you want equal rights, you need to take it all, not just what you want. Women wanted to vote, own land, and have the same rights and freedom as men, and most recently, more economic and business freedome. I totally agree with them, but it's just wrong for you to demand for equal rights, but then back down when it comes to a draft.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Yan Wang

I certainly did not have to do that when I took it this past March.

If you go to this website, you can check if you are registered to participate in the draft. I registered 5/30/2001, that date was about 1 month before I graduated high school. I would have been 17 at the time. Perhaps it's not tied in with the SAT, but I'm sure my high school played a part in having me register for a draft.

Originally Posted by http://www.sss.gov/FSmen.htm

According to law, a man must register with Selective Service within 30 days of his 18th birthday. Selective Service will accept late registrations but not after a man has reached age 26.

EDIT:
Now I remember, you are encouraged to register when you complete the FAFSA. I did, considering the penalty for not registering is $250,000 and/or 5 years in prison. Plus, I do have some respect for my country.

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Ashley Weed

[Quote108th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 89]To provide for the common defense by requiring that all young persons in the United States, including women, perform a period of military service or a period of civilian service in furtherance of the national defense and homeland security, and for other purposes.

If you check this website, you will find an overview of the history of women and the draft. In 1981 the Supreme Court has said that it does not violate the constitution to only register men for the draft. The Department of Defense reviewed the idea of women in the draft in 1994. They concluded that since there is a policy that women can not participate in front line combat, there's little benifet in drafting them.

Also note, that currently it is not possible for a woman to register for the draft.

[Bill Gold]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

They concluded that since there is a policy that women can not participate in front line combat, there's little benifet in drafting them.

Maybe you should focus your attention on changing this Instead of going negative by saying that "since women can't get drafted, they shouldn't be able to vote" maybe you should be saying "why aren't women allowed to fight on the front line?"

Would you deny the women serving in the armed forces the right to vote? If they should be allowed to vote, why shouldn't every woman be allowed to vote? Or is this all about the military service? Maybe we should just allow members of the military to vote? Where are we going here?

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Bill Gold

Would you deny the women serving in the armed forces the right to vote? If they should be allowed to vote, why shouldn't every woman be allowed to vote? Or is this all about the military service? Maybe we should just allow members of the military to vote? Where are we going here?

Great post, let me put together a good response. For right now I leave you all with this quote from Martin Luther King Jr:

Originally Posted by Martin Luther King Jr.

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

[Eugenia Gabrielov]

Wow now...let's ease the tension. I think the main focus of this post (ideally) is what role women should play in the draft, and for the sake of avoiding argument, I'd like to stick to that. Personally, I would avoid the draft at all costs as a person because of beliefs, not because of my being female. If I was, however drafted, I would not feel very comfortable saying goodbye to male friends and watching them forced into service while I get out on account of something that is not by any means an issue (physical hardship, pregnancy are good physical reasons, not "womanness".) So I have to say my answer is yes, women should be included, because military is more than frontline combat, which I personally would never participate in through this conflict.

My 0.02

[Madison]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

Let's see some intelligent discussion on the issue.

I've begun to believe that can only happen if you do not participate.

I cannot fathom how your ignorance continues to shock and amaze me. I should, by now, be completely desensitized by all of it.

And, since it may not be obvious, though it should be -- you can be sure that I'll have a lot more to say about combating misogyny here on CD.com, feminism and differing ideas about conscription, and what happens when you make ridiculous assumptions about whole groups of people and why that makes you look like a moron.

There should be absolutely no need nor justification at all for an "intelligent discussion" about why women deserve equal rights. While we're at it, who feels like reevaluating slavery?

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by M. Krass

I've begun to believe that can only happen if you do not participate.

I cannot fathom how your ignorance continues to shock and amaze me. I should, by now, be completely desensitized by all of it.

Please, explain to me why I should be required to enganger my life for the country and you as a woman should not. Furthermore, explain why you believe you should be able to vote a person into office who might send the men of this country into a war while you sit at home.

[Bill Gold]

Originally Posted by MikeDubreuil

Please, explain to me why I should be required to enganger my life for the country and you as a woman should not. Furthermore, explain why you believe you should be able to vote a person into office who might send the men of this country into a war while you sit at home.

Using your logic... Why should physically handicaped be able to vote? Why should senior citizens be allowed to vote? I find your arguement flawed and sexist.

The 19th ammendment permits women to vote, deal with it or try to do something about it. I think this conversation was over long before it started.