Genders unequal in combat

SunSpotNet ^ | November 16, 2001 | Kathleen Parker

[serinde]

They had to lower the standards precisely to keep women from dropping out at astronomically higher rates than men.

My point was that many men also drop out, yet they are not looked down upon for doing so or for not meeting the set standards.

"Reduced standards" have also been used for police and fire fighting work. Does this mean that women aren't - and can't be - good police officers or fire fighters?

What about men in these jobs that are injured and have to do reduced duty? They don't meet the set high standards, but they stay on the payroll. If they can do the job without being "totally fit," why can't a woman?

Other arguments against women fighting carry some weight (eg, the post about them being tortured, raped, etc.), but to restrict them strictly on their physical abilities when many men don't have those abilities either is not valid.

[KayEyeDoubleDee]

Seriously, you must be pulling my leg. You don't really believe what you are saying, do you?

"Reduced standards" have also been used for police and fire fighting work. Does this mean that women aren't - and can't be - good police officers or fire fighters?

They could be, but only if they meet a certain standard. Reduced standards also means the overall quality of the force is lowered. Gee, thanks alot.

Other arguments against women fighting carry some weight (eg, the post about them being tortured, raped, etc.), but to restrict them strictly on their physical abilities when many men don't have those abilities either is not valid.

I honestly don't know how to argue such illogical statement. The things we are talking about are physical in by their very nature. When we talk about "reduced standards", we are not talking about an IQ test.

[BufordP]

Get a clue:

• Women At Arms
• Stephanie Gutmann Says...author of The Kinder, Gentler Military
• The Empire Strikes Back. Britain nixes girls in the ranks.
• Boot Camp or Summer Camp? Restoring Rigorous Standards to Basic Training
• Casualties of the Navy's Thought Police
• Time to Review the Defense Advisory Committee on Women in the Services (DACOWITS)

[walden]

"no chance of capture."

Our enemies don't play by Geneva Convention rules-- haven't you heard about the atrocities in Chechneya and elsewhere? "Humane" war is a western invention. If ANYONE thinks they can get captured and not horribly tortured and killed, they're crazy. Capture is not an option in this war for either sex.

[walden]

"If women aren't equal to men in all areas, perhaps they shouldn't complain if their pay in the workplace and career opportunities aren't equal, either."

So, basically, if I can't carry a hundred pound pack as far as a guy can, I shouldn't complain if a male accountant makes more than I do as a female accountant? Wow-- nothing like male logic.