-
"Women Can Never `Belong' In Combat" by Anna Simons
This article argues against putting women in tightly-knit combat units. It brings up the fact that women can become pregnant and be taken out of units, menstruation also an issue for units that spend long periods in the field. Simons also talks about how competition for women in units changes how much men trust each other, and how men see women as mothers and wives above war rather than soldiers. -
"Women in Combat!" by M. Nicholas Coppola and others
“Women in Combat!” talks about evidence for and against the conclusions a 1992 governmental task force made regarding the exclusion of women in combat. They looked at issues such as unit morale and suggested that women might be bad for cohesion, but the article points out that there is little credible data to support this. Other studies indicate that women have no effect on morale, some even finding that morale is bolstered once the initial stigma against women in combat fades away. -
"Soldiering Ahead" by Holly Yeager
“Soldiering Ahead” is about the changes in the perception of women in the military since the 1970s and 1980s. Integrating women into the military has not brought much change to the institution or had any significant effect on unit cohesion. The only changes that can be seen are in leadership styles, more collaborative leading rather than dictatorial. Some challenges military women face include being perceived as less capable and balancing work and family life. -
"Repealing the Direct Combat Exclusion Rule: Examining the Ongoing 'Invisible War' Against Women Soldiers" by Laura C. Prividera and John W. Howard III
This article states that although the ban on women in combat was lifted, it was not immediately implemented in full. The author says that there is still a divide in society about what characteristics qualify an effective soldier. The article reminds the reader that many myths about female soldiers are continuing to be perpetuated in the media. Although, public opinion of female soldiers has improved. -
"The Role of Leadership and Peer Behaviors in the Performance and Well-Being of Women in Combat: Historical Perspectives, Unit Integration, and Family Issues" by Mady Wechsler Segal and others
This article emphasizes that all groups, not just women, have gained more opportunities in the military over the years. Diversity in both the military and civilian sector promotes creative thinking and productivity. The arguments used against women in relation to unit cohesion were proven false. Also, there is a difference between task cohesion and social cohesion. -
"Leading Gender Integration" by Robert W. Cone
General Robert W. Cone talks about the opportunities that have been opened up to women in the military. Many soldiers feel that as long as someone meets occupational standards, they should be allowed in combat. The integration of qualified women lessens the number of soldiers who are against women in combat positions. Finally, Cone says that many soldiers in combat positions don’t believe that permitting women in their units will have an impact on their cohesion at all.