Women in War

Lots to talk about here but because of time constraints I'll have to limit myself. I don't really know how to understand women in war. Not talking about women in the army for this part. Before I say anything, I'd like to say that rape is a horrible thing and the fact that it is used as a war tactic is horrifying. However, it is being used as exactly that, a war tactic. The problem is, if they weren't raping the women (generalization, I'm sure there aren't numbers out there but there has to be men too) what would the soldiers of these countries be doing to keep the populations under control? Would they be using genocide? Mass killings? Bombs that could take out entire cities in seconds? None of this is good, yet these other things are, in times of war, sometimes deemed necessary. I don't really know how to put this question.... But what would happen if the raping wasn't?? I guess it's all really a terrible ordeal which leads me to my next opinion. It is really difficult for us to say what is deemed necessary in times of war, seeing as how the majority of us has never lived in times of total warfare, where in order to protect yourself and your people, or to do something that may one day save your life, is a necessity. I don't know, I just personally think its really hard to even talk about this subject.

Same with the whole women suicide bombers. First of all, the fact that its a big deal when women are being used as suicide bombers is obvious. Of all the suicide bombers out there, less than probably 5% are female. Which is why it would be big news. When you take that factor into consideration with safety, now all of a sudden soldiers have to be wary of women? That's something that should be known. As to why the women are doing it, I don't think we can really say why. We've never, and probably will never be in a situation where the lives of our fellow citizens and the rest of our family is on the line every time they walk out onto the streets. We are afforded a luxury that many countries around the world are not. As a result, I think it is just hard to fathom a women being in the situation where she would have to lay her life on the line and protect people by doing something such as blowing herself up. Not only that, but women soldiers on the front lines. The only way we could possibly understand is if someone were to literally invade the US and in order to protect ourselves better, everyone would have to help out. Tough discussion today in class because of the war factor I think....