Slide 1The BasicsThe need for women in the militaryContradictions for women in a male-dominated militarySexual harassment and rapeSexual OrientationThe impact of u.s. military on women overseasWomen’s opposition to militarismRedefining securityWOMEN AND THE MILITARY, WAR, & PEACECHAPTER 10 OVERVIEWTHE BASICSIn the U.S. most families have a least one person who has served in the militaryThe U.S. is #1 in the world in terms of military technology, military exports, and military expenditureThe largest portion of the federal budget supports current and past military operationsMajor household names (Westinghouse, Boegin, G.E.) research and develop weapons, systems and military aircraftsWar movies are a film industry staple, video games have military themes, even toys wear fatigues! (See reading 56 for militarism)No Child Left Behind requires schools to submit lists of all high schools juniors and seniors to the Department of Defense of risk losing fundingPolitically, economically, and culturally the military is a central U.S. institutionTHE NEED FOR WOMEN IN THE MILITARYThe military has needed and continues to need women’s support and participationPrime example: WWII women were needed for the war effort working in shipyards and munitions factories while men were drafted for active duty overseasThe military also needs women as mothers, nurses, wives/girlfriends/partners, loved ones, friendsTHE MILITARY NEEDS WOMEN AS ACTIVE SERVICE MEMBERS IN ALL BRANCHESCONTRADICTIONS FOR WOMEN IN A MALE-DOMINATED MILITARYWomen in CombatWomen served in the U.S. military during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam war (usually designated as auxiliary)Media attention on women’s participation in the Persian Gulf War showed that many performed in combat similar to men which led to legislation that banned women from combat rolesWomen soldiers have played a key role in Iraq and AfghanistanMany service women are not adequately cared for by the VA.2007: The Service Women’s Action Network (SWAN) was founded. The network offers alternative options for women – especially women of color – for the healing process when transitioning back into civilian world2013: The U.S. military ban of women in combat was liftedSoldier Mothers48% of military women are married to a fellow service member2008: Active-duty military included 73,000 single parents 12% of women in the military are single mothers1992: Military barred single-parents from enlisting and made a Family Care Plan (FCP) mandatory for parents and childrenIf a service member becomes a single parent in the military, he or she must make adequate provisions for the care of the childrenSEXUAL HARASSMENT AND RAPEMany women in military academies and enlisted officers experience sexual harassment even though the DoD has had a “zero tolerance” policy for 30+ yearsOver the past 20 years, military women have reported several major incidents which has opened up this issue to the publicAccordind to Majorie Cohn, commands can reject complaints if they are not credible and women who come forward have limited protectionsIn many cases, women are punished and not the male perpetratorsAccording to the DoD survey, 71% of women did not report an incident of unwanted sexual contact mostly due to shame, retaliation and impunity for the perpetratorThe Holley Lynn James bill introduced in 2011 would allow victims access to legal services, a chance to transfer to jobs away from their attacker, and a promise that their private counseling sessions will not be used against themSEXUAL ORIENTATION“Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell, Don’t Pursue”Policy established under the Clinton AdministrationThe Pentagon has long considered homosexuality incompatible with military service; regulations precluded lesbians and gay men from serving openlyReports of antigay harassment (verbal abuse, beatings, death threats and killings) doubled during the 90s1999: Policy requiring mandatory training on antiharassmentMarch 2003: Pentagon officials conceded that there is a “disturbing” level of gay harassment in the military1998-2003: 6,300 people were discharged on the basis of perceived homosexualityDecember 2011 – The RepealThe repeal of DADT is attributed to service members, organizations (such as: Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual Vets of America, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and Service-members Legal Defense Network), the shift in military culture, personnel loss, and many concerted effortsTHE IMPACT OF U.S. MILITARY ON WOMEN OVERSEASMilitarized Prostitution As a way of keeping up the moral of their troops, military commanders have tolerated/encouraged women to live outside military camps to support and sexually service menMilitarized prostitution requires explicit arrangements between the U.S. govt. and the governments of the Philippines, Japan (Okinawa), Thailand, and South Korea (for example) where women work in bars and massage parlors “entertaining” U.S. TroopsThese women must have regular medical exams on the assumption that they are the source of sexually transmitted diseasesOccupational dangers for women include but are not limited to: psychological violence, rape, beatings, health risks, HIV/AIDS and other STIs, drug use, and a general lack of respectReading 47: Militarized prostitution is an integral part of the global sex trade – Ursula BiemannCrimes of Violence Against WomenThe behavior of troops in other countries is governed by agreements between the U.S. and the host governmentIn many cases, U.S. troops are not held accountable for the crimes they commit – they are often moved to another postingReading 58: Anne Lacsamana discusses the Subic rape case, in which U.S. Marine Daniel Smith was found guilty of raping a Philippine womanSuzuyo Takazato (cofounder: Okinawa Women Act Against Military Violence) has reported on the long history of crimes of U.S. troops committed against Okinawa womenWOMEN’S OPPOSITION TO MILITARISMWomen’s opposition to militarism draws on a range of theoretical practices: 1. Women’s Peaceful Nature: There is no conclusive evidence that women are “naturally” more peaceful than men. Differences in socialization lead to important differences in attitudes, behavior, and responsibilities in caring for others. The military is part of the societal division of labor wherein the men “protect” women,