Armed conflict has primarily always been a male profession. In Canada for instance, women were not eligible to serve in any combat related trades until 1989. Turpin is not talking about female soldiers though. She is talking about the innocent. The bystanders caught in the crossfire of these deadly testosterone filled conflicts. "Women suffer from war in many ways," she says and she has the proof to back up her statement.
As the old saying goes, WAR IS HELL, and this statement is as true for the civilian as it is for the uniformed combatant. Turpin has some chilling statistics on the casualties of war. Half of the casualties of WW2 were civilians. This means women and children. What is even more appalling is that as the accuracy of our weapons increases, so to does the death rate of civilians. At an alarming rate of almost 10 percent every decade. These are wars that for the most part are started by the western world either directly through military intervention, (see Iraq, Afghanistan and Vietnam) or indirectly through the exporting of weapons to the developing world, (see the entire continent of Africa).
With death also comes destruction. As their homes and communities turn to ruble, these women are quickly displaced and become fleeing refugees trying to find cover. Turpin points out that more than four-fifths of war refugees are either women or young girls. Some of them mothers just trying to find a way to raise their children safely.
As if these women haven't yet suffered enough, they also become targets for sexual violence. Rape is a disgusting side effect of war that we seem to turn a blind eye toward. Turpin grabs your eyelids and makes sure they are open as you read some statistics on wartime sexual violence. History does not lie and Turpin lists several accounts linking the brutality of war with the hideousness of sexual violence towards women. Forced prostitution and genocidal rape have and continue to happen to women as I write. These women are surrounded and have no where to turn for help. Even the United Nations peace-keepers have committed these atrocities. We are regularly receiving reports of rape and sexual crimes being committed by the occupational troops stationed in the middle east.
While the conflict continues, the women of war not only suffer in the hands of the enemy. Turpin points to recent research that seems to indicate a rise in domestic violence during times of war. Husbands and sons suffering form Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), the sudden availability of dangerous weapons and an increase in the consumption of alcohol are all factors that could play into this. This hits a little closer to home as it is generally the only unique effect that war will have on women living in the western world. Soldiers coming home to their families often have a hard time adjusting back to everyday life here and are often haunted by the horrifying experiences they have lived through.
Turpin covers the most profound and unique effects of war on women. As a male I can't help but feel this article was directed towards me. She wants men to see that these conflicts do not just effect those who choose to fight, but even more so the ones who have no choice at all. In the western world, war is portrayed as a heroic and very macho endeavor. We are seldom reminded of the atrocities that go along with it. This article was a stabbing reminder of the ugliness war brings out in us.
As women become more involved in politics and decision making on world issues, will we see a decrease in world conflict?
3 comments:
Hi Richard,
Your writing style is a pleasure to read. It is direct and informative with no excess of words. I find it very refreshing.
At this point in the course, I would like you to source all quotes and paraphrases. This week's postings in Content covers all the ins and outs of citing.
It would be really beneficial for you to go through this posting and put in a citation whenever it is needed.
For example, here's one of the times you must source:
Half of the casualites in WWII were civilians (Turpin 325).
Even though it is not a quote, you must source it because it is a fact and you found this fact in Turpin's article.
Again, thank you for writing this excellent blog. You will find your grade in the book!
I really like the question that you ask at the end of your blog. It is my hope, that as more women become involved in politics, the decision making will become more balanced. Without trying to sound biased, I think that as a group, women focus more on the results of actions taken. Men may have more of a "get it done" type of attitude, it would be good to have someone looking out for the after effects as well.
No, because it doesn't actually change the system it's just different players in the same game. The last three presidents have had female secretaries of state. You would be hard pressed to say Albright, Rice and Clinton have shied away from conflict or war.
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