Unquestionably, if the draft were reactivated, women would have to be eligible. In fact, given recent changes in civil rights laws and our understanding of the equal treatment of women, it would probably be unavoidable given the constitutional requirement for equal treatment under the laws.
In any event, it would be a revealing moment - as indeed this poll, though not scientific, has been a eye opener. Women cannot expect to be treated equally in law and then demand exemption from legal obligations.
Those in the women's movement who have been most vociferous about equal rights have been strangely silent on this issue - and by so being have undermined their own position. The argument is that women could not bear the physical demands, but this is belied by the fact that women already do serve in the military on a voluntary basis.
So, in that particular, it is like arguing with an earthquake. Saying that women cannot bear the requirements when they already do - and the military has set standards for such service - flies in the face of the obvious. Further, insofar as a woman would not be capable of serving because she could not meet the requirements, she would then be exempted as men are. Thus, the principle of equal treatment is upheld.
At the more fundamental of equal rights, the women's movement on this issue is very American. Ardent for rights, not so ardent for the responsibilities that attend those rights. Such responsibilities must, as they already do for men, mean a restriction on their freedoms in extremis.
My hunch - and it is only that - is that if the draft is reactivated (and not just registration as we now have) that it will be a crisis moment that splits the women's movement wide open. Bluffs will have been called, and women may come to see that for all the disadvantages that attended their social position, certain advantages also pertained.
In life as in politics, there are trade-offs to be made. You cannot call it principled if your aim is all of the rewards and none of the costs. Understandable perhaps, but not principled.
I honestly don't even think the military should make a distinction between sex at all whatsoever. I think they should both be held to exactly the same physical standards when being drafted/recruited, I think they should both have to follow the exact same rules. I think the only time sex should even be acknowledged is during sleeping quarters and showering arrangements.
Suffice it to say, yes, I think women should be drafted as long as they meet the physical requirements.
Believe it or not, back in Feburary of 2016, the Senate approved a military policy bill that would require women to join men in registering for the draft.
However, Congress retracted the bill later on and no longer required women to register for the draft and instead called for a complete review of the Selective Service System.
Should women be required to register for the draft? I don't believe so. It's unfortunate to have anyone REQUIRED to sign up for it, so I do hope they do a review and end up changing this law.
Well, if they don't, then women should sign up for Selective Service as well. We can't be equal citizens if one gender is mandated to do something and the other isn't.
No, they shouldn't. Plus that would be quite stupid since if they want to avoid it they just have to be pregnant and I don't think the child would have a very good life.
@Someguynamedbob No, we have an all volunteer military since 1973. What we do have is selective service registration, but that isn't what you asked about. You also didn't ask about a theoretical draft sometime in the future.
If you want to talk about those things, ask about them.
We do not have conscription in the United States since 1973. The last men that were drafted in the US are old, old men. Ask them if what we have now is "the draft".
We have selective service registration now. It isn't anything like military conscription. Please do not insinuate that these are the same thing. It's offensive.
Still with selective service all they have to do is get in a big war and they can start up the draft again. It’s the same concept it’s just not currently active.
Still the draft could be started at any second and they would use the information from selective service that every male over 18 has to sign up for regardless.
Do I seem like I am unaware of that? I mentioned Selective Service Registration twice.
I don't want to talk about this with people who want to equate what we have now with what we once had. A serious discussion of this topic doesn't begin with first conflating our current situation with something it is not.
I was the last year to sign up for the Vietnam era draft. They only stopped the draft briefly after that, then started it again. Just because they haven't called anyone doesn't mean the draft doesn't exist. It's in place and they could call people any time they want.
Even at the time when I registered, they hadn't actually called anyone for a while. But our senior year in high school we still gathered in the halls talking about our draft numbers, knowing that a low number meant we could get called.
Whether it's been two weeks, two years or two decades since they called anyone is irrelevant. The draft is still in place. People can be called at any time.
@NearlyNapping A draft is conscription. We have not had conscription in the US since 1973. We have had Selective Service Registration, and I know that's what YOU signed up for when you were 18, because I was around then (and I do have an older brother). You did not go through any Vietnam era process in the late 80s when you registered.
I appreciate the distinction I am making is lost on both of you, but a serious discussion starts with a serious understanding of the topic.
You are avoiding answering the question by playing games with words. The answer is the same for both. You can't agree with one and not the other. They are both part of the same process.
It would be better to abolish it for men. I don't think women are very useful in combat. Men are simply stronger and more robust, and can handle the psychological toll better.
I heard a story once about an officer woman who operated on the front lines. She ended up getting an infection in her hooha, which left her unable to bear children. Even our junk is better suited for war.
I think her vaginal infection is completely unrelated to her being on the frontlines. She could have gotten a vaginal infection just from wiping back to front, or something.
Women are physical weaker, and when women served beside men it weakened the army, as men would instinctively stop and try protect women. There are many no-combat situations though, where women could help.
I would definitely send feminists, equality and yada yada.
I'm a boxer. However, I am aware that as a female, there's no way I'll ever be physically stronger than guys that are physically fit. If I go into the army, I'll want to be on the same level as any guy. Especially if I'm putting in the work to be strong as hell. Since I am a woman, sadly I are aware that is impossible. I want to be prepared for anything. So, no thanks.
Yes women should be forced to enlist, but of cohrse there is a flaw that women can simply get pregnant to avoid the draft. So, it is a lot of work just to allow loopholes.
keep in mind, registering for the draft is not the same as being drafted. if there is a draft, something horrible has happened, and yeah we'll need able-bodied people. Also, I'm a vet.
No. If they have reason to call people again, it will be because of a big war going on. I don't think women should be in combat roles. For other roles I doubt if there would be a need to draft.
Men still have to sign up for Selective Service upon turning 18, which makes them eligible for the draft should it be reinstated. Also, until men sign up, they aren't eligible for a host of government privileges.
Of course, women get these privileges without having to sign up for anything. Big surprise.
Yes. It's sexist and not fair that only men are forced to sign up. If men are required to register for the draft then women should be too. You don't hear any feminists complaining about that though.
Women want equality, right? Well equality isn’t always balloons and roses and hearts. Sometimes it’s war, sometimes it’s taking responsibility. Have fun with your equality bitches
Lol you can’t legally challenge it if you registered for it as soon as you turn 18 it’s how the system works, it’s iron clad legally, don’t you think people would have challenged it back in the 60s if they could
Mohammed Ali did challenge it in the 60's and he never thought in Vietnam.
You are meant to sign up for it just after you turn 18. It is a legal requirement, but it is not enforced. So the vast majority of men probably haven't signed it.
They could fine you and put you in prison for not signing it, but that's it. They can't force you to fight. And after what happened in Vietnam, I can imagine a lot of people would prefer prison to a war zone.
Yeah, and they stripped him of his title and got his license revoked. He remained free during his appeals, which were overturned by 1971 on whatever grounds. Yeah, its enforced. Some states won't give you a driver's license and you aren't eligible for a host of government privileges. And if a fine and prison is your choice over being drafted, all the power to ya.
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