Mandated Service for Women

Just before the War of 1812, Britain was seizing American ships and pressing American sailors into service in the Royal Navy. This aggressive act was met with hostility, embargo and, eventually, war. Today this battle is being waged again, but it is our own country men who are attempting to press the American people, both men and women, into military or civil service. While I am fundamentally opposed to mandated service, I can accept the use of a male only draft at times when our country truly has great need. In recent decades, however, many have tried to expand the selective service requirement to include women. They argue that American women now own all the same rights and privileges as American men; therefore they should shoulder the same obligation toward national service. But men and women, while certainly equivalent in capability, are fundamentally different. The special circumstances and dangers a woman faces, together with the need that we have for her here at home, should exclude her from mandated military service.
Before we can address other issues, we must first acknowledge the distinctly feminine challenges a woman must over come. Once a male body has passed through puberty, it performs basically the same functions on a day to day basis. But as we all learned in middle school health class, this is not the case for a woman. Puberty causes irreversible complications for the female body. In direct contrast with our male partners, our bodies do something different practically every day. For about three quarters of a month, little by little, the female body prepares itself to cradle life. The other twenty five percent is generally spent cleansing itself of the fruit of those preparations, except in those rare cases when the preparation proves worth the effort. In either situation, the female soldier would face an uncomfortable dilemma. Neither pregnancy nor menstruation is particularly pleasant, and both present privacy challenges.
Aside from the difficulties that every woman will inevitably face, there are serious safety concerns for a woman in our military here at home, let alone in combat. Sexual harassment of and violence toward women in the military, at the hands of their own comrades, are serious enough to warrant a special task force (dtic.mil, 2004). As a result of failed combat, a male prisoner of war may face abhorrent treatment at the hands of his captors. Many have experienced severe torture and mistreatment. Imagine if you will the added horrors that could be inflicted upon a female POW. The decision to accept that disturbing risk should rest solely on the woman herself, it should not be forced upon her, under any circumstances.
Secondly, we should consider the need we have for women in our economy. According to the department of labor website, an overwhelming majority of humanitarian career fields are dominated by women in this country. In 2007, women filled 92% of jobs in the nursing field, 81% of elementary and middle school teaching positions, 95% of childcare openings, and 91% of medical support jobs. Pressing women into service for our country could seriously upset our ability to educate our children, and care for the health and welfare of our citizens.
Most importantly, and dearest to my heart, is the toll that mandated service for females would take on the family unit. I acknowledge whole heartedly the contribution made to a family by a good and loving father, but the mother is truly the pillar of the home. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints teaches that “mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children” (Family, 1995). Mothers are universally recognized as tender care takers. In his proclamation Mother’s Day, 2002, President George W. Bush declared, “Mothers are central to the success of the American family. Their love, dedication, and wisdom touch countless lives every day in every community throughout our land. And their love and guidance of children help to develop healthy and spiritually sound families” (Bush, 2002). Abraham Lincoln once said, “All that I am or hope to be I owe to my angel mother. I remember my mother’s prayers and they have always followed me. They have clung to me all my life” (Bush, 2002). As the mother of five, I spend my life kissing ouches, scrubbing faces, and changing diapers for my little ones. I find that my older children are more independent, but they require my attention, encouragement and approval in their day to day lives. The absence of a mother, temporary or long term, is crippling to family life.
I was raised by a career military man, and later married one. I understand the sacrifice made by our military personnel and their families. Two decades before Sept 11, I was learning to take cover from terrorist attacks under my school desk, my father was out patrolling foreign borders, and my mother was home holding down the fort. She brought all of the happiness and security we had to our home. Perhaps that is why I feel so strongly about protecting this liberty. I respect and honor the woman that chooses to serve. I only believe it should remain a choice for her, even in times of war. Benjamin Franklin once remarked, “They who can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety” (Franklin, n.d.).