Prayer

Matthew 18:6, “Whosoever offends a little child it were better for a millstone to be hung around his neck and he were drowned in the sea”.

Mark 10:14, “Suffer little children to come unto me and forbid them not for such is the kingdom of heaven.

Women in Combat: A Poor Strategic Decision

Alan Barron

THE decision to allow women to be posted to frontline combat zones is a step backward that will exacerbate declining numbers in the "Australian Armed Forces as women have a much higher dropout rate than men when placed in dangerous work environments.

Currently there are more than 7000 women in the defence force —13 per cent of the total peacetime force of just over 52,000.

Defence Personnel Minister De-Anne Kelly has said that allowing women into combat will move the ADF closer to total equality for women. But does the military exist for gender equality, especially as it alters the group dynamic? Combat readiness would be hurt because men, instead of looking out for the needs of their group, would focus on the women leading to a breakdown in male bonding and cohesion.

It comes as no surprise that 10 per cent of US female soldiers are pregnant at any one given time. Since no replacements are provided, this -creates additional duties for other soldiers. Consider if you will, what would happen if 10 per cent of men took "time out" for family based reasons. They would be labelled "shirkers" at best, cowards at worst, but it's okay for female soldiers.

Also, female recruits complete less gruelling training schedules than their male counterparts — but .they still get equal pay. This leads to a morale issue within the services. Affirmative action fuels the perception that favouritism sees lesser-qualified female candidates get the jobs, and promotions, ahead of better-qualified men.

We spend billions protecting women in this country against violence and assault Now, here we are wanting to place women directly-in the line of fire where there is a very real danger of them being injured, killed or becoming victims of sexual assault

This nation has a declining birthrate due to the already high female workforce participation rate and high levels of male unemployment So tell me, why do we need more women in the military?