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Women in the Military. Dr. Elena Klaw. Goals. Lioness Film Policy vs. reality of women in combat Unique challenges Reasons women warriors may not seek help. Challenges for Women in the Military.
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Women in the Military Dr. Elena Klaw
Goals • Lioness Film • Policy vs. reality of women in combat • Unique challenges • Reasons women warriors may not seek help
Challenges for Women in the Military • Disconnect between (1994) policy excluding women from combat and reality of what women do in GWT • So women are in combat but not necessarily trained for combat (e.g. to use highest causality weapons), policy hasn’t caught up with practice • Women need full scope of training that men get or they at greater risk and seen as a liability by men • Need to learn same language to work across branches • Grey zone: women must violate policy to do their jobs
Gender and Challenges • Gender role conflicts, especially for warriors who are mothers or want to start families • Single parenting for moms or dads • No credit or recognition from public, isolation • Sexual harassment and military sexual trauma
Reasons Women May not Seek Help • Don’t want to seem weak • Lack of recognition of the reality of their service in the VA and validity of PTSD • Family caretaking responsibilities • Don’t want to worry other people