Warriors, the Rerun
My student had an essay to do: choose a controversial topic, present both sides of the issue, and have an opinion.
He told me, "Marijuana and abortion were both taken, so I chose women in combat." Aaaand, his opinion - both before and after looking up facts - is that maybe women can fight, but they don't belong in combat units because it will disrupt morale. For instance, what about close quarters on a submarine?
I point out that, since he brings up submarines, a tour of duty on a submarine comes with incentive pay, which is a significant bonus over standard navy pay. He answers, big deal, there are other things they could do. *headdesk* This is true. There are many other things. Like getting blown up while working as a non-combat officer.
I don't want to join the army, but neither do most of the men I know. If someone wants to join, why should 'the REAL soldiers don't want girl-cooties' mean she can't fight?
Arguing with a student is not what I'm paid for.
But...
Women can't fight... didn't I see a whole load of arguments about that around this time last year? What is it with cold and dark settling in that brings these things to the fore?
*looks up half-remembered sites, looks up... oh, here.*
No, not an argument about women in the military. An argument that, since HISTORICALLY there were never women in combat, you can't realistically have women in your mythical book in the army, never ever, nuh uh. So THERE.
Women have never fought, anywhere. Never ever, nuh uh.
Iran has never had women warriors. Never ever, nuh uh.
No women. Just stop arguing. Never ever, nuh uh.
Religious rituals performed by Roman women were not important. Never ever. Nuh uh.
Also, there were never women pirates . Or women defending the castle when the men were off fighting. Never ever. Nuh uh.
So no, we can't have women in combat units. Don't bother telling me they can fight, because that doesn't seem to be relevant. Men don't want women in American combat units, so out they go.
Incidentally, black soldiers have become rather more accepted, but that's all new. So you don't need to add black people to your fantasy book unless you get bullied into it by the PC Patrol. Right?
There were no black warriors back with King Arthur, right? Never ever, nuh uh.
He told me, "Marijuana and abortion were both taken, so I chose women in combat." Aaaand, his opinion - both before and after looking up facts - is that maybe women can fight, but they don't belong in combat units because it will disrupt morale. For instance, what about close quarters on a submarine?
I point out that, since he brings up submarines, a tour of duty on a submarine comes with incentive pay, which is a significant bonus over standard navy pay. He answers, big deal, there are other things they could do. *headdesk* This is true. There are many other things. Like getting blown up while working as a non-combat officer.
I don't want to join the army, but neither do most of the men I know. If someone wants to join, why should 'the REAL soldiers don't want girl-cooties' mean she can't fight?
Arguing with a student is not what I'm paid for.
But...
Women can't fight... didn't I see a whole load of arguments about that around this time last year? What is it with cold and dark settling in that brings these things to the fore?
*looks up half-remembered sites, looks up... oh, here.*
No, not an argument about women in the military. An argument that, since HISTORICALLY there were never women in combat, you can't realistically have women in your mythical book in the army, never ever, nuh uh. So THERE.
Women have never fought, anywhere. Never ever, nuh uh.
Iran has never had women warriors. Never ever, nuh uh.
No women. Just stop arguing. Never ever, nuh uh.
Religious rituals performed by Roman women were not important. Never ever. Nuh uh.
Also, there were never women pirates . Or women defending the castle when the men were off fighting. Never ever. Nuh uh.
So no, we can't have women in combat units. Don't bother telling me they can fight, because that doesn't seem to be relevant. Men don't want women in American combat units, so out they go.
Incidentally, black soldiers have become rather more accepted, but that's all new. So you don't need to add black people to your fantasy book unless you get bullied into it by the PC Patrol. Right?
There were no black warriors back with King Arthur, right? Never ever, nuh uh.