Women at War

As a growing number of women become soldiers, issues centered around their emotional and physical health grow as well. War has always been a devastating and destructive part of human existence, while some claim the world must have war to 'settle' issues and 'fight for justice and peace' war is a crippling thing that should be avoided at all costs. In my world history class we have begun to study the nineteenth century and the Great World Wars, during this time women and civilians began to play a much larger role in the balance of warfare. The Home front became an essential ingredient in the victory of one nation over the other. In the past few decades however women have started to play a larger role as soldiers, fighting among men instead of on the sidelines supporting them. In an act I can not imagine myself doing, some women sign up voluntarily to fight for their country and democracy. They want to protect their community and are praised and respected by their society. But the reality of war is hard and brutal. Post Dramatic Stress Disorder, a common emotional trauma not widely recognized until recently takes great tolls on soldiers on and off the battle field. But an newer problem has arisen with the increasing amount of female soldiers. In addition to many cases of PDSD and other emotional disorders, women also face many sexual harassments and assaults. After a few cases in the 1990's the US military had become more sensitive to women in the military- they now make up 15% of the armed forces worldwide. These strong women leave their comfort and safety of home to sign up for unimaginable death and destruction, while they are respected on the surface, underneath they face emotional distresses that will haunt them for a life time.
Corbett, Sara. "The Women's War." New York Times Online. 18 Mar. 2007. 15 Mar. 2009 .