WP: Military mothers yearn for home - washingtonpost.com Highlights - MSNBC.com
When war started in Iraq, a generation of U.S. women became involved as never before. More than 155,000 women have served in Iraq and Afghanistan - in a wider-than-ever array of jobs, for long deployments, in a conflict with daily bloodshed.
Among their ranks are more than 16,000 single mothers, according to the Pentagon, a number that military experts say is unprecedented.
I'm going to sound old fashioned but I really don't believe moms should be serving in combat or in such a hot zone. There is something special, sacred and necessary about moms. Of course dads are important (I'm one) but mom is the one that needs to be with their children, even more than dad.
This is a disturbing issue and I believe women in the military, especially mothers, need to be treated.
Posted by Tim at November 23, 2006 10:37 PMIt's an issue with no easy or short term solutions. Best wishes
Posted by: mcewen at November 24, 2006 01:42 PMI believe women should not only be IN the military but if there were a draft, I would support it being applied equally to men and women. I say this in part because of people with precisely your attitude. Maybe if women were to be drafted, people would think twice before getting involved in military actions of dubious merit. I imagine lots of Dads would think twice before endorsing their 18 yr old Debbie or Susan getting shipped off.
Why is it OK for men to die in service to our country but not women? If you support military actions then you support them. Every citizen bears equal responsibility of service, not just men.
And why are men any less valuable to children? Perhaps traditionally they have not been as involved as women, but my friend, you ARE old fashioned. Shame on you for devaluing a fathers role. You SHOULD be, (and probably are so without realizing it or meaning to be,) as special and sacred to your child as Mom is. Beyond the obvious biological contributions, there is nothing a mother can do that a father can't. Lets stop this Saint Mommy malarky and realize that both parents are equally important to the child. Children need as much support as they can get.
Posted by: TK at December 8, 2006 06:17 PM
