Why Are Canadian Women Not Patriotic?

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SteveN

In the past (as recent as the 1970's) women were not generally sought out by the military, as it was felt that women were not physically as capable as men to handle the job. They would run the offices, act as nurses, handle war correspondence, or even do the factory work here back at home while the men went off to war.

The military also did not want women in harm's way and in a position to be captured by the enemy. Both the people in USA and Canada did not want to see their wives and daughters coming home in bodybags or being paraded around in chains on a foreign soil.

Women's liberation movements and the emphasis that women are equal to men in ALL aspects resulted in an increase in women joining the military.

In today's military here in Canada, women make up 15% of the military force, and many are fighting on the front lines beside the men. In May 2006, Canada lost its first female soldier during a battle in Afghanistan. Captain Nichola Goddard died in active combat.

I checked on the US military to compare, since they are the most impressive military force I know, and with the rights and freedoms that they have down south, I was convinced that they would have a higher number of women, especially after a movie like GI Jane was released. However, that was not true. The information I found was that the US military is also only 15% female.

And at least as of 2005, the USA still had the following regulation in place: U.S. military women are barred by law from being in units like the infantry and artillery batteries whose job it is to go out and engage the enemy in combat.

The only countries I have found with numbers of females higher than about 15% are ones where military service is a requirement of the population, such as in Israel.

Perhaps you can give some statistics to support your statement that women in Canada are not as patriotic? And do you classify women who stay at home and raise the kids, write their husbands who are at war, and fly the flag and support their country as NOT being patriotic just because they did not go off to war?

Seems to me your question was more harmful or insulting to all those women of all countries who are standing by their men who are fighting than to insult us Canadians in general. And at a time when we should have more important things to talk about, such as the economy, we are defending how patriotic women are.

MasterPython

Most soldiers are men period. Not just in Canada.

If by patriotism you mean we should all start chanting war slogans like a band of uncivilized beasts, then count me out. That brand of jingoistic nationalism and pride is what starts so many of these stupid wars in the first place.

It is not Canada per se that needs to be defended against the Taliban but the good people of Afghanistan and, by extension, a free and civilized way of life.

Peachy Keen

I love being a Canadian and I'm a woman. Just because I don't join the army doesn't mean I'm not patriotic. Enlisting isn't the only way to be proud of my country and happy to live here. Instead, I would rather travel and be an ambassador showing how great Canadians are.

knh959

Being a soldier (particularly combat arms such as infantry, artillery, armoured corps etc) is a tough and physically demanding occupation. Much as it's not PC to say it, the fact of the matter is that the majority of women don't have the physical strength or endurance to function for extended periods in those occupations. Many women do serve in the Canadian military in less physically gruelling areas. When I retired about 13 years ago the armed forces was about 30% female. That was one of the highest percentages in the western hemisphere.

ash1

im not a canadian, but i would just like to point out that i would prefer not to show my 'patriotism' for my own country by killing people. Also you talk about defending canada...well i dont see any afghans flying halfway across the world to attack canada do you?
there are plenty of other ways for canadian women to show they love their country,you seem to have a very warped view of what it is

JavaJoe

Canada has no business being in Afghanistan in the first place.

They're only there because of the US and then wind up getting killed by the US in "friendly fire" accidents.

It's their war on terror, let them fight it.

Steven K

"well to the person who said most soldiers are men period, well why can't women step up and defend their country!!"

DEFEND CANADA FROM WHOM? We are terrorists in Afghanistan. We are NOT fighting a war to protect Canadians what so ever... we are fighting a war to protect America's interest.

Anybody join the Canadian Army for just to go to Afghanistan and attack their own men and women is just doing for the wrong reasons.

How do you called "Patriotic" when we just protecting the America's interest NOT Canadian values? DO YOU EVEN KNOW THE DEFINITION OF "Patriotic"?

MSS

What do you mean by: why can't women step up and defend their country!!

Please named one group of Afghans who are attacking Canada? You are bigot and a hypocrite! Please leave Canada to USA.

â™¥Lilyâ™¥

Just because we're not jumping at the opportunity to go in the army does not mean we're not patriotic. I'm largely patriotic in many other ways. Plus you can't just consider the combat soldiers, do you know how many jobs are involved with the forces? LOTS. And LOTS of them are women... may it be a nurse helping out overseas or a flight operator here. Check out the website... www.forces.ca. I'm sure you will realize how many women are actually involved in helping/defending our country.

girly girl

get your woman to do that

Gene D

As a man, let me just say there are other ways of showing patriotism than joining the Army and fighting in Afghanistan. That goes for women OR men.

Wolfenstein

Women shouldn't be soldiers. It ruins the camaraderie of men by making it politically correct and unisexual. No wonder we're losing the fight in Afghanistan.

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