Soldiers are individuals who serve in military organizations and play an essential role in protecting their country's citizens and safeguarding national security.
Serving in the armed forces can be stressful, traumatic, and challenging for soldiers, especially when they experience separation from their families due to deployment or training exercises. The long separations from home cause emotional distress that affects their behavior, including sexual desires and responses towards others. This paper explains the impact of repeated separation from family on soldiers' sexual desire and responsiveness to emotions.
According to research studies conducted among active military personnel, the effects of separation from loved ones have significant psychological implications on soldier's mental health. Soldiers tend to become more aggressive, irritable, anxious, stressed, and depressed during deployments and trainings. Separation anxiety is one of the major factors that lead to these behaviors. When deployed or away from their homes for extended periods, soldiers feel lonely, isolated, and miss their family members' love and support. They may also suffer from sleep disorders, fatigue, and low mood, which negatively impact their ability to perform duties effectively.
The emotional distress caused by separation from family often leads to soldiers feeling less sexually attracted to others. The lack of intimacy and closeness with loved ones causes a decrease in sexual desire and response to partners. According to a study conducted by the US Army Medical Department, soldiers experiencing prolonged separation from family exhibited reduced sexual arousal and satisfaction compared to those who had not been separated. In addition, soldiers who were away from home for an extended period reported having fewer sexual encounters and relationships than those who had not been separated.
Soldiers who are constantly away from their families experience increased stress levels, which can have physical consequences such as decreased libido (sexual drive) and reduced fertility rates.
They may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms like excessive drinking or substance abuse to deal with feelings of loneliness and isolation. These unhealthy behaviors further weaken their sexual drive and responsiveness towards others.
Separation from family affects soldier's emotionally. Soldiers deprived of familial connection struggle with expressing emotions and responding appropriately to their partner's feelings. Research suggests that this lack of emotional responsiveness may result from a reduction in oxytocin hormone production due to separation anxiety. Oxytocin is essential for promoting bonding and social interaction, including sexual intimacy. When it is suppressed, soldiers find it difficult to connect emotionally with their partners, leading to poor communication, misunderstandings, and conflicts.
The impact of repeated separations on soldiers' sexual desires and responsiveness is significant and can significantly affect their mental health and well-being. Therefore, military organizations should develop strategies to reduce the frequency and duration of deployments and trainings that separate soldiers from their loved ones.
Soldiers need adequate support and counseling services to help them cope with the emotional distress caused by separation from home.
What impact does repeated separation from family have on a soldier's sexual desire and emotional responsiveness?
Repetitive separation from loved ones has been shown to negatively affect both sexual motivation and behavioral responses among soldiers, as well as their emotional stability and social interactions with peers and colleagues.