Women In The Army

Women in the army in America are among one of the last two remaining groups to face significant discrimination. While other armies around the world have reformed their discriminatory ways and integrated women into the military workforce with ease it seems that the United States is still falling behind.

Women in the army are still forced to work inside of a group that sees itself as a male institution. Unlike other branches of the military where women have been widely accepted those who are enlisted in the army are not only treated like children--much the same as any army enlisted--but they are also treated as a second class. Women in the army in America do not receive the same opportunities as those in other branches. While on the record they are able to receive the same benefits and the same promotions the army has recently had quite a large media problem covering up the remnants of the “good old boys club” that they are so fond of. This is a concept that the older men who have served for a significant amount of time will off the record look out for their men. They will give them a sort of “dibs” on new promotions. They will look the other way when they get into trouble and they will even help to protect them. Such an unspoken organization is one that the government has attempted to break up because it discriminates against women.

Women are also the victims of a serious sexual assault problem. Recently the media has exposed a great many sexual assault cases that were brought to light after the retirement of recent high ranking officials who upon leaving the military let it be widely known that the number of sexual assault cases in the military against women were significantly higher than were previously on record and that systems such as the aforementioned “good old boys club” were still in place working to cover them up. It was information like this that brought down a great deal of scrutiny upon the manner in which women are treated in the army and how well their needs are attended to on par with their male counterparts. The results were not good.

The army has always been an institution that caters to and serves men. Today it is very much that same discriminatory organization but the difference is that the media has been able to shine some light onto their discriminatory practices against women. While woman today have a better chance of fair treatment in other branches not everyone has the ability to enlist in other branches. That being said it is important that something be done to help alleviate the high levels of discrimination.