Fighting Mothers.

jambutty · 29-03-2007, 12:10

In light of the Shatt al-Arab incident should mothers of small children be allowed into a combat zone?

Indeed should they be serving in the armed forces at all?

garinda · 29-03-2007, 12:11

Lol, do you work for Jerermy Vine?

garinda · 29-03-2007, 12:13

Gender, or the fact that someone is a mother/father, should make no difference as to whether someone is sent to the frontline in a war zone.

They chose to enlist.

AccyJay · 29-03-2007, 12:17

At the end of the day, it's their job. If the mothers weren't allowed to go into a combat zone, then what about the fathers? Then you end up in a situation where only single or childless military personnel can fight for their country.

garinda · 29-03-2007, 12:20

I thought Jambutty had been trawling YouTube, and had found a film clip of two local chavettes knocking hell out of each other.

grego · 29-03-2007, 12:29

From the point of view of a mother of two small children I dont know how she can leave them for any length of time let alone be on the front line. At the end of the day though its her job and her choice and I wouldn't condem her for doing it. I think its just as hard for the fathers too but its a job and someones got to do it.

jambutty · 29-03-2007, 12:42

Lets look at this issue from the child’s perspective.

It has been reported that Faye Turney has a 3 years old daughter and during an interview on board HMS Cornwall before the capture, she moaned that she really missed her daughter but she loved her job. More than her daughter obviously.

No doubt someone will have a different viewpoint but for me the most important person during a child’s life, especially during the first few years, is its mother. The father is also important but not to the same degree. His level of importance grows with time. So to deprive that child of that very important contact because mum wants to pursue a career in the navy or any of the armed forces is simply wrong. Unless the mother is stationed close to home or has married quarters where she goes home every evening. That makes it no different to being a working mum in civvy street. Going to sea for a few months or being posted abroad is not good for the child. It’s not very good for the mum either.

I’m not condemning Faye Turney or any other woman in the armed services, I’m just looking at the issue from the child’s angle.

garinda · 29-03-2007, 12:47

The same criticism could also be levelled at our Royal Family, or anyone else who employs nannies to raise their children. Those offspring also have very little maternal, or paternal, contact, and seem to cope well enough... in the case of the Royals, perhaps not so well.

Bazf · 29-03-2007, 13:19

Get all those women out of the work place, what ever next they will be driving buses or even, god forbid, serving us beer and crisps. While I'm on here anyone tried that new fangled e lec tricity?

SPUGGIE J · 29-03-2007, 17:59

She chose a career she wanted and because of equal rights she can go and take a pop at our enemies. Yes she will miss her child, but dont we all when away from them. Someday it wont be seen as a bad thing and here daughter can grow up proud of what mummy does for a living.

tadah · 29-03-2007, 18:26

When you enlist you accept that you may be sent to the front line and you accept all the dangers that come with that. People do not see their job as more important than their child jambutty they do it for their child so they can provide for them. Wasnt you in the navy? And personal with children get houses so they can be with thier child and child care during working times is sometimes provided depending on where you are based.

shakermaker · 29-03-2007, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by jambutty

I’m not condemning Faye Turney or any other woman in the armed services, I’m just looking at the issue from the child’s angle.

Jambutty, Faye Turney gave up the nurturing role to her young child when she enlisted. There is no reason why the father cannot fulfil this role either; the 'female nurturing role' is completely down to socialisation and is not genetic in the slightest.

The situation is no different from a male soldier leaving his wife and child to go to fight.

Margaret Pilkington · 29-03-2007, 20:15

Personally I do not know why women would want a combative role in the services, but then having chosen this role, she should be no different to any other serving soldier. Presumably, she will be getting paid for what she is doing.......and she herself says she enjoys her work. She also chose to have a child and so must take responsibility for the risks she must necessarily take.

steeljack · 29-03-2007, 20:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by shakermaker

Jambutty, Faye Turney gave up the nurturing role to her young child when she enlisted. There is no reason why the father cannot fulfil this role either; the 'female nurturing role' is completely down to socialisation and is not genetic in the slightest.

The situation is no different from a male soldier leaving his wife and child to go to fight.

Sorry Shaker , but your 'metrosexual' view about nurturing just doesn't cut any ice with me ,
Women have served in the armed forces for nearly 80 yrs with great distinction without the need to go into combat , leave that to the guys. It's not a matter of equality, Women have prooved many times in guerilla warfare situations that they are the equal of the guys, examples.... French partisans and the Viet Kong but that was a matter of neccesity, life or death, I don't think we are at that stage just yet , Women in regular combat units , sorry dont see the need and don't agree with it .

even though it gives me chest pains , I have to agree with Jambutty on this one .....

garinda · 29-03-2007, 23:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by steeljack

Sorry Shaker , but your 'metrosexual' view about nurturing just doesn't cut any ice with me ,
Women have served in the armed forces for nearly 80 yrs with great distinction without the need to go into combat , leave that to the guys. It's not a matter of equality, Women have prooved many times in guerilla warfare situations that they are the equal of the guys, examples.... French partisans and the Viet Kong but that was a matter of neccesity, life or death, I don't think we are at that stage just yet , Women in regular combat units , sorry dont see the need and don't agree with it .

even though it gives me chest pains , I have to agree with Jambutty on this one .....

You don't really give any valid reasons why women shouldn't enter into combat, if they so wish, except that you don't like it. I know loads of women with great courage, and men who are total wimps, who couldn't kill a slug. It's all about choices.