Sunday, January 27, 2013

Woman And Combat

My 12 year old son is a military buff. He gets hundreds of dollar store plastic green army guys and attempts to duplicate famous battles and then goes on his top bunk to admire and consider his reproduction from above. He loves contemplating military strategy. And so this weekend at a break in activity I told him about the recent news of women in combat. He told me he knew about it and asked me what I thought. I said, "Well, I don't really think a woman should be in the front lines." He replied, "Do you think it is sexist to say that women can't do everything men can do?" I explained I did not know if that were sexist but I do know I am the mother and that makes me the boss, and this may be sexist, but that is just the way it is." His response, "Yea, and you know Dad and your sons would stand in front of the bullet that was aiming for you, and not behind you."
Posted by Annmarie Pipa at 12:34 PM

66 comments:

  1. Wow! How profound for a 12 year old!

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  3. It is not sexist to realize men and women have different strenghts. It is ignorant to think anything else. Based on comments on my recent post on this subject I am in the minority.

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    1. I agree with you, just as long as the woman has the option of where she wants to stand in combat. True, there are some situations where a woman's size may be a detriment, just as a man's fight first instinct may be the worst choice.

      Combat decisions should be made by capabilities, not sex.

      As for your son's thoughts, Brilliant.

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  4. What a wonderful son- you are blessed!

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  5. Terrible to put women on the front lines of combat!! Men and women are very different, created to complement each other, not to try to be like the other.
    Mary Alice

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  6. it is a good thing to have those men in your life willing to stand up and take that bullet if need be...and to have woman that support us, but also have their own opinions as well...smiles.

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  8. WOW! What a good son you have raised. How wise was that?

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  10. Wow, what a wonderful young man! Absolutely beautiful!

    To think that I am "equal" to a man in all things is too ridiculous for words. Different doesn't mean unequal. I cannot do what my husband can with regard to physical strength and stamina (that's why they were given testosterone and we weren't), but he may not be able to do other things that I can do, like give birth and be especially nurturing to our children. :-) Seriously, when the founders wrote that we are all created equal, they truly meant that we are equal in only one thing-- our total inequality to the One who created us.

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  12. Oh, I LOVED this post! Your son is incredible. I wholeheartedly agree, and this is coming from a lady who worked offshore with hundreds of men. I always wanted to believe we 'could' do anything a man could do, when I was growing up. I struggled thinking I was limited. But thank God for our gender differences! We complement each other with our strengths. And although I don't want to take anything away from a woman's ability as a soldier on the front lines, I don't want to live in a world where a man could not be distracted by his inherent desire to protect her. x

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  13. Loved this post. Oh, when I read your son's final response, tears fell. What an amazing young man you have raised. Congratulations!

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  14. I like your son's viewpoint. He is a brave and caring young man. Being a peace lover at heart, I don't like to think of anyone being in combat, man or woman.

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  15. A wise son you have there!!

    I don't think it's sexist to say that men and women can't do the same things...we are built differently and therefore it isn't physically possible for us all to do the same things with equal success...that is what gives a balance in life overall...different sexes/species excel at different things and that's why we also get the help of animals in much that we do...after all you never here anyone call a shepherd a 'dogist' just because the get a border collie to herd their sheep!!

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  18. Smart Boy & Smart Mama! I agree with you. Women should not be in combat, and mothers should not leave their babies behind to fight.

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  19. Chivalry is NOT dead!! Praise God for that!

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  20. Gotta love those sons. And as a mother, you know you would not let them stand in front of you if it was your choice.

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  21. Oh- That just puts a big lump in my throat- Isn't that awesome? xo Diana

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  23. Yes, he is very thoughtful not like a kid I saw on Doomsday Preppers. He indicated he would leave his mom in a crisis, if she fell behind.

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  24. That's a boy being raised to respect and care for women. :)

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  25. I know you're proud of that boy right now! But, that's what I fear about women being on the front lines - the men will sacrifice themselves to protect them. It's instinctive.

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  26. Idon't understand why a woman would want to be in combat but I would never stop someone from doing what she wanted. If a woman passes the requiremnts, physical, mental etc and it is what she wants to do then why not?

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  27. I have very mixed feelings about the the whole woman in combat thing. part of me completely agrees -- leave it to the menfolk! but then there's that side of me that likes to kick a little butt now and then: and that girl wants in the fight. Being a mom now, I can't see myself actually going into battle; i guess unless you threaten one of my children. They imma gonna mess you up bad. haha

    but your son - you gotta be proud of that moment! what a young gentleman!

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  28. I was in the British Royal Navy in the times when women were not allowed at sea. Allowing women at sea was an intelligent move. HOWEVER, I do not agree that woman (for the most part ther are some exceptions), can be as physically able as men...there is no room for those who can't keep up on the battle ground.
    Jane x

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  32. I love this! What a great son. He must have pretty fantastic parents, too :)

    I have trouble believing that many women were "fighting" for the right to be on the front lines... It all sounds a little bit fishy to me. Either way, I disagree with it.

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  33. What a smart boy!!

    And it's not that we're not equal as men...but we WERE created different. DIFFERENT.

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  34. I posted on the same exact topic. I have a million thoughts that pop up both ways going on... still haven't resolved my feelings on them.

    That's funny your son does the Army battles w/his little men. My son does that too...takes great meticulous care in doing it too. :)

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  35. My son and DIL are both army officers, and my son is in Special Forces. I sure have my opinions, and combat is not right for women in my opinion. There are so many other areas of support they can give!

    Your son should go to college and then enter the army as an officer/ or go to West Point if he is already thinking and reinacting miliary battles. Those are things they do there...and they can always use Good Men! My son is one of them!

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    1. P.S. Your son is precious and honorable!!! Explain to him what HONORABLE means!!! ♥♥♥

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  36. Coming from a former 1LT in the Army, I whole-heartedly disagree with this new decision to allow women in combat units. I do not think that a woman's life is more important than a man's and I think that women do serve a purpose in the armed forces; however, putting a woman into an all-male environment will only disrupt the bond that has been formed and will only be a distraction. The male-bonding process is extremely important in combat units and it will certainly change by adding females to it. Bad, bad, bad decision.

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  37. Just because a woman can do anything a man can do, doesn't mean she should.

    tb

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  38. I do NOT think that is right. Woman are equal and need to be treated so. I don't like the idea that someone would think, "Because I'm a woman, I can't do things men can." And have people consider me weaker and/or not as capable. JMO.

    T

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  39. Hi,
    My boys do the same....setting up battles. :)
    Amen to your son and to you and your husband. Keep up the great work.

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  41. I think it is also not right for women to be pastors or head of churches.

    I believe your son has it figured out. :)

    Blessings,
    <><

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  42. A smart young gentleman.
    It shows that his parents have educated him very well. Congrats!

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  43. Hi Annmarie, thank you for sharing. You're so blessed with a wonderful son. He's great. Keep up the good work.

    Have a lovely week ahead,regards.

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  44. Woman are already fighting in combat areas. My daughter was stationed in Baghdad. She is no longer in due to the chemicals in the area and injuries she received.

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  45. Wow, did you say he's only 12?? That is awesome!

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  46. Annmarie, It's good to know that you have such a loving family where even even a youth of your son's age has his priorities down pat! Take Care, Big Daddy Dave

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  47. Your son will one day be a force to be reconned with.

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  48. I love your son! You're doing a whole lot right there!

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  49. Awww, that's one of the sweetest things a son could say to his mother :)

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  50. Wow, that must have warmed your heart completely!

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  52. What a lovely discussion and what a wise young man:)

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  53. Your son is very sweet, Your so lucky to have wonderful children Annamarie.

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  54. Smart kid...I bet your smile never faded that day =)

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  55. I hope some day my son will be as wise, smart, and funny as your boys. :)

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  56. Awwwww!!!!!! Such a good, good boy. You are raising them right! :)

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  57. Smart kid! And he loves his mom.

    =)

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  58. Good kid....My son played army just like your son. He was in the army four years and loved every minute of it. He would have made it a career but he got married and started a family. I have mixed feelings about woman in combat.

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  59. What a beautiful response he gave, what a gentlemen! You mama are raisin him right!!

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  60. Now that had to bring a smile and a tear!

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  61. What a sweetheart your son is. I'm really not sure about women in combat. I have to think harder on that one.

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  62. Aaaww.. this post made my heart melt.
    Kudos to you and your husband for raising well your kids.

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  63. That is a tough one. Before having my children I would say why not have woman fight in the war also? Now with my daughters being 7 and 6, I would rather see them at home with furture family. My 6 year old(the tom-boy) is noticing more that is talked about on the news and has mentioned about wanting to go off to war when older. I, 10 years ago would say "go for it",now I want to be supportive on her feelings but also incourage her to not feel like she has to be so called "equal" with the guys but do what woman have been made for.Body and emotions are so different.I am praying my son (8 months now) grows up with the same feelings as yours.

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