What are the views of feminists about military conscription?

Question

Does they know that in some countries of the world (like mine, Greece) there is a man-only obligatory military conscription? It lasts 1 year and the conscript is "paid" 8 euros (=11 $) A MONTH !!!

It is very difficult if to get a serious job unless you have finished with it. Job ads say "for men to have finished military conscription"...

Answer 1

I think if there is mandatory service, then both men AND women should be required to serve.

Answer 2

There is no 'draft' in Australia and I would oppose the reintroduction of anything like it, for any reason.

The majority of the population voted to end 'conscription' in the 1970s and I doubt public sentiment has changed much.

A voluntary defence force is best.

Cheers :-)

Answer 3

Most feminists oppose the draft entirely, but would support including women if it ever became necessary again.

Answer 4

because the saying still holds true today.

"a true lady should be seen and not heard."

Answer 5

Most feminists I know don't agree with conscription for either gender. Military service should be voluntary only, and fighting for women to be included in the draft benefits no one.

Answer 6

We no longer have a draft in the U.S., a voluntary military is the best way.

Although we still have politicians that play political games with the draft.

Bill to Restore the Draft Is Defeated in the House.

Representative Charles B. Rangel, Democrat of New York, the author of the bill, who ended up voting against it.

Answer 7

Feminists have *always* recognized that military conscription is one of the costs of the equal rights we fought for.  The US does not have a draft at the moment, but if it did, young women should be drafted as well.

Answer 8

I think that it should be a gender neutral obligation.  How does Greece view women in general- if they view them as needing protection, weak, etc. then this would take some time to change.

Answer 9

As a feminist and a Veteran I have mixed feelings.  I like the thought of everyone having at least gone through our basic training it really does give a person a sense of responsibility and direction.  However; I hate the thought that it is men only just as I am for the US changing the draft to include women.  NO; women would probably not be drafted into combat situations but that is because men don't want them there.  Still they would be drafted in support roles which are always needed. I read that you are not paid but that financial aid is available and that it ranges from 9 euros to 600 euros depending on your rank and family status.  Since housing and food are provided for you a single male may not require much income.

This sounds like something that would disappear if more of your country would choose to voluntarily serve.

Answer 10

I am not going to talk about miltary obligations in other countries but only the ones in America. Except how wide scale are the women who enter the miltary in other countries protected by sexual abuse, torture and rape?

I don't see any problem with women in the armed services, as a veteran and a feminist, my only concern is that the military bases and higher ranking officials are not "protecting young women" from rape and sexual abuse.



Until the USA has a nation-wide sexual discrimination policy for all government and military personnel, more women are still going to fear being "sexually abused" and "raped" and afraid of speaking out because of the fear in reduced rank and court martial offenses.



Why can't the women that serve in the armed forces be protected from a soldier in the same platoon from being sexually abused or raped? What has the government did to protect these fighting women who risk their lives in battle alongside the other male soldiers. Isn't a soldier just a soldier? Why do we not prosecute male soldiers who rape and abuse female military soldiers and make that reporting process easier for them.

Answer 11

I believe if a draft is necessary than both sexes should be subject. However, the governement must be careful to leave at least one parent to take care of the kids. While a lot of women don't want to be drafted, they do have skills that can serve the miliary and so they shouldn't be overlooked.