Women in Combat: An Overview of the Implications for Recruiting
Abstract
This report presents an overview of recruiting issues involved if the combat exclusion policy for women in the U.S. Army is changed. Historically, women have had no explicit combat role, but have often moved into de facto combat roles when circumstances demanded. Eliminating the combat exclusion would change women's role from combatant by chance to combatant by design. Attitude research on military personnel indicates mixed opinions on women in combat; however, national opinion polls and attitude surveys suggest that public approval increasing. Research indicates several factors related to women's nontraditional occupational choices: commitment to being in the labor force, higher ability, higher educations expectations, and approval by significant others. The cases of Canada and Norway are cited as examples of other countries' experiences in opening combat roles to women. A number of arguments against women in combat are presented, together with favorable views to provide balanced portrayal of the issues. Research directions are proposed and current survey research is described.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 1990
- Accession Number
- ADA227516
Entities
People
- Charles G. Middlestead
- Mary S. Hay
Organizations
- U.S. Army Research Institute for the Behavioral and Social Sciences