Should Women Be Fighting On Or Near The Front Lines?

[lizbud]

Don't know if this topic belongs in the Dog House or not, but
opted on the side of caution. This poll is posted on an msn.com
site & I voted. So far it's about 49% yes,45%no, with 6% not
sure. What would you say to the question? It really made me
think.

[babolaypo65]

Yes. If a woman joins the military, then yes, combat should be one of the possible assignments she receives.

[Soledad]

Definitely. Equality is a two way street.

[Karen]

If anyone is there, women should be allowed to, yes. I wish there were no front lines, but as the captured maintenance crew can attest to, there are no "safe" places when you are in a war.

[Miss Meow]

Yes. A woman in the defence force is no different than a man in the defence force as far as training and ability to perform the job.

[mugsy]

Interesting topic. Mike and I vehemently disagree on this one. I say yes, definitely and he says NO definitely. He's been on the front line, but then, he's also a man! lol

I think that if a woman signs up for the military then she should be on the line if that's what she's trained for.

[micki76]

Originally posted by mugsy
I think that if a woman signs up for the military then she should be on the line if that's what she's trained for.

I agree. Many have brought up the issue of what may potentially happen to a woman if captured, though it's really not relevant. The same things can happen to a man if captured by the enemy.

[lynnestankard]

I have to agree too - if a woman joins the military, she should be prepared to fight at the front. If I'm not mistaken the women soldiers in Israel fight with the men - wherever they are needed,

Lynne

[lizbud]

Forgot to mention that I voted No.This was a gut reaction type
response.This reaction suprised me as I'm a firm believer in
equal rights for women.I attended many N.O.W. meetings in the
sixties and worked on campaigns to secure equality for women
in the issues of economic & political equality.But women on the
front lines of combat in a foreign war just goes against the grain
for me.I know all the "logical" reasonings are valid, so this must
touch some personal nerve with me, as I can't agree with it.

[Tanya&Fritz]

Absolutely

[Logan]

It is a hard question, Liz, and one that I would not want to face, personally, selfishly. But I have to tell you when I saw the face of the woman who is an American POW the other day, I wondered of the horrors she might face. But, if they enlist, train for the job, they have just as much right and need to be on the front line as any man does. I can completely understand your reason to say "no", but I guess, in reality, my answer would be "yes". (And I don't like it)

[lovemyshiba]

Yes, we should. I don't like the idea, but I'm sure there are men who don't want to be there either. If a woman can enlist in the military, there's no reason that with adequate training she shouldn't be right there fighting with the men.

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by lynnestankard
I have to agree too - if a woman joins the military, she should be prepared to fight at the front. If I'm not mistaken the women soldiers in Israel fight with the men - wherever they are needed,

Lynne

ALL Israelis do a two year hitch. it's mandated by the government!!!

[RICHARD]

Originally posted by popcornbird
Does that mean that all Israelis are soldiers and there are no civilians there?

Women are more sensitive, weak, and gentle than men. I find it hard to believe a women could be fighting on the front. I for one would NEVER do it. I think I'd die from a heart attack before anything happened! No, I don't think women are powerful and strong enough to fight on the front lines. That should be a man's job (in my honest opinion).

i think it was all 18 year olds have to serve two years in the armed forces....i guess technically, all Israelis are soldiers.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I feel strongly on this. We cannot ask for equal rights if we are not prepared to take equal risk. If a woman is physically capable of performing the task, her gender should not preclude her from it.