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Comment By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 11, 2015 at 7:32 PM By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 11, 2015 at 7:32 PM » RELATED CONTENT • So how's your Christmas shopping going? • For what are you thankful this Thanksgiving? • Should the city regulate outdoor cigarette smoking? • What do you make of the street people downtown? » Social News Combat is a guy thing and women shouldn’t be in it. That’s been the assumption since Sumer gloriously triumphed over Elam in 2700 BCE, the first known war. Tradition says a woman’s place is not on the battlefield chopping and slicing the enemy with swords and spears. Women can cheer men onward but should stay at home with the kids and welcome the victors with parades (that is, if they win). So went, for millenia, the unquestioned myth. But that’s changing. Women got the vote 95 years ago and gender equality exploded all over America starting with the 1960s. In January 2013, the Defense Department got on board, lifting the longtime ban on women serving in combat, but it’s been a long, slow process, with lots of fears and stereotypes to overcome, such as a) women bring down unit esprit de corps, b) it invites sexual harassment and rape, c) women reputedly have half the upper body strength and a third of the endurance of men, d) if captured, they will be sexually abused, e) men, when they see a woman wounded, go nuts with the protective instinct, f) if there’s a draft, it forces women to participate and, g) it just ain’t right. So, lots of experiments and studies have been done — and branches of the service have been filing for “exceptions” in certain dangerous or bloody tasks. However, on Dec. 3, Secretary of Defense Ash Carter turned the corner, announcing that ALL combat jobs will be open to women in 30 days, as long as they can meet the standards men have to meet. This was not greeted with a universal “yes sir!” Although the first few women have completed Marine Infantry School, Marine Chief of Staff Joseph Dunford wants to keep nasty frontline fighting open to men only. Army Rangers and Navy SEALs (very dangerous jobs) are opening to women in the coming year. We asked Ashlanders if putting women in combat is a step forward for gender equality, or is it just a bad idea with a new set of problems? Jennifer Jager (declined photo) – It’s a very dangerous job but if some women want to be treated the same as men, they should be allowed to. Two women (sisters) just graduated (in the fall of 2014 and March 2015) from Marine infantry training. It’s not always about strength and endurance. It’s about smarts and training also. I’ve played rugby and have a sister-in-law who went in the Army. It’s hard to tell women they can’t do combat when they joined the military. But it’s a tough question. Michele Godwin — It’s a very bad idea. Why? Because I’m a woman. I hate war. I don’t want anyone on the front lines, male or female. I want peace. But it’s their choice, if that’s what women want to do. Dee Coffman — Personally, I don’t think it’s a natural position for a woman to be in. Women can do a lot for their country and not be on the front lines of combat. It’s not their strength. But if they really want to, well … but it doesn’t play to their nurturing side, while men have that more strategic and aggressive side. Stephanie Jones — I don’t know how I feel. I like the idea they are trying to make equal opportunity for everyone in the Armed Forces. I feel men are physically stronger. That can play a big role in hand-to-hand combat. If they feel like they want to be in that position, it’s OK with me. If they try it and find out it’s not working and women aren’t able to keep up, they can switch back to the old way. Jasna Pecaric — I’m not into war at all. The trouble is that women going into the Army have been coerced in high school by recruiters, and by veterans who’ve been to war and they’re not told the whole thing. It’s just a business. They’re told they will get a free education. They might get shot. But if it’s done in a conscientious way, well, the woman should have a choice if she wants to be on the front lines or not. Also, women and everyone else should have to be 21 to go in the military, just like you have to be 21 to drink. John Darling is an Ashland freelance writer. Reach him at [email protected]. By John Darling For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By John Darling For the Tidings Posted Dec. 11, 2015 at 7:32 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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