Gender-Based Discrimination in the US Military

TRIGGER WARNING: This Article Contains Information About Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

United States Military

Gender-based discrimination is when one is discriminated against on the basis of their socially constructed gender identity. Sexism is defined as prejudice or discrimination based on a person's sex or gender and primarily affects those who identify as women. A prevalent problem regarding the United States military is the sexist behaviour that is deeply rooted in the history of the military. Though there have been numerous initiatives to address the discriminatory and sexist practices against women in the military, the persistence of sexism is still prominent to date. Following the conclusion of World War II, The Women's Armed Services Integration Act of 1948 was introduced to officially allow women to serve in the military and not be restricted to nursing positions. This act allowed women to serve, however, it did not lead to equal treatment and the abolishment of sexist behaviours. As the military culture has remained fairly similar throughout the years, so has the treatment of women. The two main types of discrimination that women face in the military are: sexual harassment and sexual assault.

Women in Combat

Sexist Propaganda

Women's Representation in the United States Military

Throughout the United States history, women have either been excluded or limited to restricted roles in the military. Though the Women's Armed Services Integration Act allowed women to serve in the military, it also provided restrictions on the extent of their possible roles. Some of these restrictions were: that women were confined to non-combat roles, not allowed to hold a rank that is higher than Lieutenant Colonel and women were not allowed to have jurisdiction or command over a man. It was not until January of 2016 that nearly all positions were open to women. Since the inclusion of women in the military has been idea that the military has been reluctant to support, the belief that women are subordinate to men still exists today.

According to a report from the United States Department of Defense, only 18% of the United States military force was composed of females in 2016, while 82% was male. This has reinforced the notion that women are the ones that need protecting and men are supposed to be the protectors as there is such a large discrepancy between the two genders. The military elevates masculinity while subordinating femininity and some have argued that this is to keep women in position that hold them to less power than men.

With the growing support for equality in all aspects of society, there have been desperate attempts to preserve the patriarchal practices that the military has been built and strived upon. Some white male members of the army have argued that women have physical weaknesses that such as body strength, aggressiveness and combat maneuvering and that is why they should not be in the military or at least not in positions that involve combat. However, studies have shown that women can be trained to perform at the same levels of men that are a similar build to them so this proves that women are not inferior to men and not a sufficient reason to why women should be subordinate to men in the military. Gender roles are entrenched into the military's history and are something that remain prevalent today as women are subject to many sexist practices.

*Trigger Warning*: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault

Sexual Harassment:

One prominent way that women in the military are subject to sexist behaviour is through sexual harassment. The hyper-masculine society that is so ubiquitous in the military creates power differential between men and women. Since the majority of leader positions are held by men, this signifies that men are supposed to be the powerful individuals and women are less than them. In the military, men feel a pressure to consistently prove their masculinity and power and can resort to using sexual language and behaviour to showcase their dominance. Women have reported being scrutinized by men as they are perceived as less competent, as well as being subject to unwanted sexual advancements by their male colleagues. The constant use of "gendered and sexualized language with the military" is something that is used to put down women and uplift men and is one of the chief ways that discrimination is perpetuated. Men may believe they are superior due to their importance and dominance in the military which may lead to the belief that they are entitled to sexually harass women and engage in sexist behaviour.

Sexual Assault:

Another way sexist behaviour can manifest is through sexual assault. The Department of Defense defines sexual assault as "intentional sexual contact characterized by the use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent". In 2016, there were 6,172 sexual assault cases reported in the United States military. It has been estimated that the number of sexual assaults can range from 10-43% among women during the time of their service. While men also experience sexual assault in the military, the amount of women that have experienced sexual assault is far more. Since the military culture values hyper-masculinity, it can result in the "denigration and sexual objectification of women" . In an environment where an emphasis is placed on teamwork, one might find it hard to believe that sexual assault can be so widespread, yet, it is a horrifying truth about the military. Some of the root causes of sexual assault are: historical influence and gender stereotypes. Historical influence can play a role in warfare women have been seen as rewards in warfare, which men may use to justify sexual assault because they believe it is something they are owed. Gender stereotypes can also play a role because men may view women as the weaker sex and therefore believe that sexual assault is something that they may be able to get away with because of their status. This is because women are often unfairly blamed for sexual assault because women are taught that they should prevent sexual assault instead of the perpetrators being taught that it is their fault. Women are often not believed when sexual assault allegations come to the surface and could women from admitting the truth as they fear the retaliation they will face. 

How the Military Culture Perpetuates Sexism

Army woman and man doing pushups in field

The military institution is one that values and is based upon the idea of strength. For a large portion of history, women have been viewed as a weaker sex and of a lower status, especially in military ranks. The military has certain cultural factors and norms that may also contribute to the presence of sexist behaviour.

One reason is that a heavy emphasis is placed on performance; the ability to perform at a high level is crucial and something that military work requires. For this reason, claims of sexist behaviour such as sexual harassment and sexual assault can be overlooked if the performance is outstanding. Military leaders may be in a predicament of choosing between performance and addressing sexist behaviour, and often times, performance is of primary concern. Another reason is the overrepresentation of males in the military makes it appear the military is something that is exclusively for men and that women who are in the military are outliers. Women are constantly looking for the approval of men instead of being accepted like any male colleague would.

Sexism behaviour is seen as acceptable among some males in the military and women who report or try to confront it can be seen as betraying the team. Since women are constantly trying to prove their belonging, it would be counteractive to report discrimination as it could result it further repercussions and retaliation by the rest of the team which is so prominently dominated by males. 

What Happened Following Sexual Assault Investigations

The military reporting system for sexual harassment or assault is a complicated one with various steps and gives no assurance that anything will actually be resolved. The Department of Defense offers two official ways of reporting sexism, restricted and non-restricted. Restricted reporting allows service members to retain confidentiality when reporting their case, and receiving treatment and counselling with a formal investigation being conduction. Non-restricted reporting offers the same services while launching an official criminal investigation at the same time. However, if an individual chooses to talk to another member about their experience, then they have forfeited all confidentiality and a criminal investigation will be launched. Women may fear that they do not have sufficient evidence to prove their case and therefore may remain quiet about it. It has been argued that the United States military has a "culture of violent and toxic masculinity [that] hurts the military as a whole". The military system not only allows sexist behaviour to thrive but also silences women that have been victims.

*Trigger Warning*: Impacts of Sexism and Sexual Violence in the Military on Women

The sexist behaviour that exists can have many harmful implications to women who have been in the military or for future generations. For one, the stereotypes that are surrounding women and the negative connotation of those stereotypes make it appear as if women should not be in the military. Women are constantly trying to earn appraisal from their peers, and have additional hurdles to overcome if they choose to pursue a position in the military.

In a study done by Doan and Portillo, they reported that a majority of the women they interviewed said interactions with their males reinforced existing gender hierarchies that exist in the military. One of the main reasons women leave the military is due to not being accepted and facing sexism from their peers and commanders as the separation and "denigration of women allow men to reinstate the military as male territory". Even more extreme sexist practices, such as sexual harassment and sexual assault, can be detrimental to a woman's psychological and physical health. To address the psychological and physical damage that has been done, it can take years of therapy and counselling. The failure to realize blatant sexism can be attributed to the discriminatory practices that have been normalized throughout the existence of the military. 

The latest statistics released by the US Department of Defense reveal that 2, 218 reported cases of sexual harassment or sexual assault had enough evidence to go through disciplinary action or a judicial process, yet only 1, 446 of those cases led to a sexual assault charge, and only 774 (54%) of these cases were entered into the court process. This shows that even when there is adequate evidence, there is still a significant chance that the victim's case will not go to court, leading many to suffer in silence. The disproportionately affects women as they make up the majority of victims of sexual harassment and sexual assault, leading many women to not believe in the due process of the legal system.

How to Gender-Based Discrimination in the US Military Moving Forward

Women in the Military

While there are differing perspectives on how to tackle the root issues of sexist behaviour, the most commonly known and suggested ideas are to: address the hyper-masculine culture, stopping the process of victim-blaming and addressing the difficult and ineffective reporting process.

To begin with, in order to address the hyper-masculine culture, the gender stigma and stereotypes must be dismantled. The military can no longer be seen as a place that is exclusively for males. Some have suggested that women be representated in the military closer to the proportion that they represent of the entire country. Since studies have shown that women of a similar physical build can perform at the same level of a man, they should not be viewed as subordinate and be valued to the same extent that a man is. If men and women are valued equally, then men may not be as comfortable in engaging in sexist behaviour because women will not be viewed as subordinate. As identified, women are often blamed for sexual harassment and assault. Women are constantly taught that it is their job to prevent harassment and assault and this can be an enabler for potential perpetrators as they may assume that they can get away with it. If greater repercussions are put on the perpetrators, it can show that the military will not tolerate any type of harassment and make perpetrators reconsider engaging in that type of behaviour. Adding to that, the military reporting system has been highly scrutinized for its ineffectiveness at reprimanding perpetrators. This is mainly due to that fact that victims must prove that the action actually occurred and that it was not consensual. If victims have greater assurance that perpetrators will be apprehended and face repercussions, they are more likely to report the crime. By adapting and changing the policies around sexism in the military, the overall environment can become a place that is far more inclusive for all types of individuals.