Unequal soldiers: Gendered discourses and the British military.

by Angela Clare

Masters by Research, University of Leeds, August 2007

ABSTRACT

The integration and acceptance of women in the British military has been a slow and difficult process, with some military job roles remaining off-limits to female applicants today. This thesis examines why, even though British military exclusions based on assumed gender differences have been “tested” and largely disproved, it is still apparent that there are major issues underlying and maintaining these exclusions, as well as impeding women’s acceptance on equal terms with men.

Research focusing on historical accounts, military discourses, reports and policy suggests there are two main issues; firstly centered on fears of women’s presence weakening the masculinity of the military discourse and its “combat effectiveness”, and secondly, fears for individual women in the military, especially those in combat roles. These fears are manifested in both the British military’s reluctance to admit women and the boundaries that remain in place today; creating difficulties faced exclusively by female personnel. Examination of media portrayals and their focus on female military personnel further reveals how gender-based problems and fears are re-iterated and maintained, impacting the acceptance of women, especially as soldiers, on equal terms with men.

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INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CONCLUSIONS

REFERENCES

APPENDIX

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CONTENTS

 INTRODUCTION …………………………………………………………………………... 5 - 7

METHODOLOGICAL FRAMEWORK AND FOCUS FOR ANALYSIS..……………8 - 13

• Introduction
• Definition of terms
• Theoretical approach to analysis
• Sources of information
• Parameters of research

 CHAPTER ONE ………………………………………………………………………….. 14 -35

 WOMEN’S ROLES IN MILITARY HISTORY, INTEGRATION AND CURRENT SITUATION IN THE BRITISH MILITARY

  Introduction

• History of women in combat and military role
• Contemporary perspectives of the British military
• Current numbers and roles of women in the British military
• Women’s integration into the British military.
• The First and Second World Wars
• Post Second World War
• 1970s The Sex Discrimination Act.
• 1980s – 1990s
• Dismissal of women when pregnant
• Homosexual exclusion policy
• “Gender free” testing
• Conclusions

CHAPTER TWO………………………………………….………………………………. 36 - 45

 JOBS AVAILABLE AND OFF-LIMITS TO WOMEN TODAY IN THE BRITISH MILITARY

  Introduction

• Exclusions of women within the British military today
• “Combat” jobs open to female applicants
• Women in “Frontline” roles
• Other military job roles
• Conclusions

CHAPTER THREE……………………………………….………………………………. 46 - 63

DISCOURSES ON WOMEN’S INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION IN THE MILITARY SPHERE

  Introduction

• Testing of gender differences and capabilities

1) Physical capabilities

2) Psychological capabilities

3) Unit cohesion, team work and mixed gender units

• Impact of women on military “combat effectiveness”
• Challenges to the “combat effectiveness” ruling
• Other countries’ policies on women in “close-combat”
• Further complexities of female integration and acceptance within the British military
• The “soldier” as a masculinist discourse: difficulties for women’s acceptance
• Conclusions

CHAPTER FOUR………………………………………………………………………… 64 - 72

FEARS OF AND FOR WOMEN IN COMBAT ROLES

Introduction

• Fears for women in combat
• Fears of female soldiers becoming “male” aggressors
• Unequal Soldiers: difficulties for equal military careers and experience
• Concerns over internal sexual harassment and rape

CONCLUSIONS ………………………………………………………………………….. 73 - 79

Summary of research

• Fears of women- female threat to the masculinity of the military
• Unequal soldiers: difficulties for women gaining acceptance
• Fears for women in combat: vulnerability of women

• Future changes

 REFERENCES ...…………………………………………………………………………. 80 - 91

 APPENDIX ..……………………………………………………………………………….. 92- 94

1. Total numbers and percentage of female personnel

2. Ranks of female personnel in the British military

3. Statement from the Equal Opportunities Commission, 22nd May 2002.