Brandon writes
Quote:An argument about a division of labor between races does not carry over to an issue about a division of labor between genders. Not, that is, unless you believe that if anyone is entitled to anything, it follows that everyone should be entitled to do everything. It's a different case with different issues.
But some are unable to make the distinction Brandon.
There seems a tendency to attempt to equate discrimination against people of another race as being no different than any issues of equal rights and equal opportunity in general, most particularly issues of gender. But many, if not most, of us have descended from people who have experienced prejudice and discrimination. If you are American and descend from Catholics, Mormons, Irish, Italians, Asians, Mexicans, Native Americans, any peoples of dark skin, et al, it is likely your ancesters have exerienced such prejudice and discrimination at some point since the United States became a nation.
None of these, purely by virtue of their race, social, or ethnic group, will fail to meet the standard physical requirements for combat military personnel. Discrimination based on religion, race, or ethnicity therefore makes no sense whatsoever and the huge majority of Americans have learned and accepted that.
Each one of these groups, however, have two genders. The huge majority of females from all groups are going to fail to meet the standard physical requirements for combat military personnel. The rare female who can hack it will be statistically insignificant and there will still be issues of hygiene, privacy, sexual attraction, and the natural inclination of at least some males to protect the female, all of which can be detrimental to a fighting unit.
If gender made no difference, there would not be separate public restrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, etc., gender specific washroom attendants, etc., and there would be no issues of sexual harrassment. When our combat troops are in harms way, they need every advantage we can give them. The battlefield is not the place to do social experimentation that could in any way be distracting or reduce their safety or efficiency in any way.