How Times have changed
Women played a crucial part in war efforts throughout histoey. As wives and mothers, they offered moral support to the men in their lives. At the same time, in cases like WWII, the majority of the work force was made up of women while their husbands were away at war. While women played a large role in every war ranging from WWI to Vietnam, they never held the title of a soldier. For American women, the Iraqi war was the first war that they were allowed to fight. This holds the same truth for Iraqi women. A recent article form the New York Times talks about the emergence of women into the armed forces in Iraq. The article states,
“As one, the stony faces broke into a free-for-all of kisses, hugs and tears on Monday as the 50 women who called themselves the Lioness group became the first female graduates of Iraq’s police officer training academy.”
The article goes on to state,
“The job of officer in the national police force is among the highest paying available in Iraq, but also one of the most dangerous; officers and trainees are favorite targets of insurgents.”
It is just not in America that women are fighting as soldiers. Over the past 100 years, the roles of women in the army have drastically changed. Women have gone from supporting soldiers from home to fighting right beside their brothers, husbands, and sons.
As I read through this article about Iraqi women and their presence in the military, I thought back to some of the women that I’ve read about in my Literature of war and peace class. Specifically, I throught back to these women and their roles in various wars. The first women that I thought about was Vera Brittain. In her memoir, Testament of Youth, she describes her role as a nurse during WWI. Along with Vera Brittain, in the from of letters, women express their jobs during World War II in the book, Since you Went Away. Specifically, a woman named Polly form Pensacola states,
“You are now the Husband of a career woman– just call be your little ship yard babe” (147).
After reading several accounts from women’s experiences in past wars, and listening to current stories about women soldiers, it is easy to see how the roles of women in the military have changed over time. Still, I would like to take this topic a step further, and question, how does womens’ involvement in war effect families waiting at home? What if both parents are fighting overseas? What effect does this have on children? Or, throughout history we have read and heard about how women dealt with their husbands fighting overseas, is this experience the same for men? I think that it is great that women are involved if armed forces. To be a good soldier is not determined by gender, but instead by personal strength. Still, I think that with women and men fighting overseas, families are effected differently. I just don’t know how yet, and I don’t think that anyone else knows either This is a new thing for American’s and other countries alike, and I think it will be interested to see how women’s direct involvement in the war changes how the war impacts soldier’s families.
Women Ascend to Iraq’s Elite Police Officer Corps
By: John Leland
9, November, 2009
winegarl said,
November 24, 2009 at 11:20 pm
I think it’s wonderful that women in Iraq are finally getting the opportunities that they dream about and rightfully deserve. I never would have known about this story if I had not read your post. I wonder if some of these social advances can be attributed to the fact that America is intervening in Iraq. Perhaps in a way we are helping to change the ideals of the people and freeing them from constraints that are just unnecessary in our time. Though our time together as a class is coming to a close I still find myself longing to learn more about the War in Iraq and just war in general. I think that some good is coming as a result of our troops occupying Iraq, it may take years for everyone to realize this but I think the possibilities are there. Maybe it has nothing to do with America- women here made their transformation socially, maybe Iraq is just allowing this on its own time.
waldronl said,
November 26, 2009 at 2:49 am
I agree with you and your blog post. Women, and their roles in the military, have really changed and grown over the years. And you are right, it’s not just Americans, women all over the world finally have opportunities they never had before. I guess the hard work women have been doing all these years is finally paying off.
I also like the fact that you took your post one step further. With more mothers and wives overseas it’s hard to know how exactly that will impact families. I’m sure every family is different and they are going to handle their own situations how they see fit. I don’t think there is a right or wrong answer to your questions, but I think that is something that deserves some extra thought among families.