LGBTQ service members are those individuals who identify themselves with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning communities. They may be born into these communities or develop an identity later in life. These individuals have served in various capacities within the military for many years now, including combat operations, administrative tasks, logistics, and more.
They often face discrimination from their peers due to their gender identities and sexual orientations. This discrimination is not limited to the outside world alone but also extends to the hierarchy that exists within the military itself. The military system is hierarchical wherein each individual has a specific rank based on their experience, skillset, training, etc., which means that LGBTQ service members must navigate this hierarchy while trying to maintain their authentic emotional expression.
Prolonged exposure to military hierarchy
The prolonged exposure to the military hierarchy can influence the development of authentic emotional expression among LGBTQ service members. As mentioned earlier, there is a hierarchy in the military system wherein each individual has a specific rank based on their experience, skills, and training.
Junior enlisted personnel will typically report to senior officers such as sergeants or commissioned officers.
The hierarchy extends beyond just reporting structures; it extends to personal interactions between the different ranks too. Therefore, LGBTQ service members must learn how to interact with their superiors without giving off any signs of weakness or vulnerability, even when expressing genuine emotions like happiness or sadness. The problem with this is that it can create feelings of shame and guilt, leading to an inauthentic way of expressing themselves.
Authentic emotional expression
Authentic emotional expression refers to the ability of individuals to express their true feelings without fear or hesitation. When you can be open about your emotions, it helps build trust, improve relationships, and enhance communication.
This becomes challenging for LGBTQ service members who have been exposed to the military hierarchy for extended periods because they feel compelled to repress their authentic selves. They cannot afford to show weakness or vulnerability because they may not get promoted, or they might face discrimination from their peers or superiors. This leads to inauthenticity, which further impacts their well-being and mental health.
Impact on well-being and mental health
Prolonged exposure to military hierarchy and inauthentic emotional expression can significantly impact the well-being and mental health of LGBTQ service members. As mentioned earlier, these individuals are already vulnerable due to their identities, and being forced to hide their true selves adds more pressure. It can lead to depression, anxiety, stress, and other mental health issues.
When a person does not feel comfortable expressing their emotions, they bottle them up, which can cause feelings of anger, resentment, and frustration. These feelings often manifest in physical ways such as headaches, migraines, and back pain. In addition, LGBTQ service members may also engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like alcoholism, drug abuse, self-harm, and even suicide attempts.
Prolonged exposure to military hierarchy influences the development of authentic emotional expression among LGBTQ service members by creating an atmosphere wherein they must hide their true feelings to fit into the rigid system. This inauthenticity can have severe implications on their well-being and mental health, leading to problems such as depression, anxiety, stress, and even suicide attempts. Therefore, it is essential for organizations like the military to create an environment that promotes diversity, inclusion, and acceptance of all identities so that everyone feels safe and secure enough to express themselves authentically.
How does prolonged exposure to military hierarchy influence the development of authentic emotional expression among LGBTQ service members?
The prolonged exposure to military hierarchy influences the development of authentic emotional expression among LGBTQ service members by instilling feelings of isolation, shame, and fear that may suppress their true selves and lead them to conform to societal norms. The hierarchical structure of the military system can create a sense of powerlessness and disempowerment for these individuals, who may feel uncomfortable expressing themselves fully due to the potential consequences of doing so.