A common phenomenon among soldiers is that they tend to have rigid rules when it comes to social behavior. This can be attributed to their training in the military, which emphasizes discipline and obedience.
This type of culture can also affect how they approach negotiating consent for interpersonal relations, such as dating or sexual activity. In order to understand why hierarchical military culture may influence relational negotiation and consent, let's explore the following three factors:
1. Role Models: The culture of military hierarchy establishes clear roles for everyone involved, from the highest ranking officer down to the lowest rank. This means that there are specific expectations for each individual's behavior based on their position within the chain of command.
Subordinates must follow orders without question and respect authority figures. These role models can carry over into civilian life, where individuals may feel like they need permission or approval before initiating intimate relationships. As a result, soldiers may struggle with giving and receiving consent for romantic or sexual activities because they're used to having a higher power make decisions for them.
2. Rules: Military culture relies heavily on strict guidelines and regulations. Everything has its place, including personal relationships. Soldiers who come from this environment may find themselves struggling with feelings of control and autonomy. They might not know how to navigate situations where one person wants something different than the other, or how to set boundaries if someone tries to push past what feels comfortable.
They may view any kind of intimacy as taboo, as sex is often considered a private matter. This can lead to difficulty communicating needs or preferences in a relationship setting.
3. Experiences: When you spend so much time around people who think and act similarly, it can be difficult to break away from those patterns. For some soldiers, being surrounded by other people who conform to traditional gender roles and expectations makes it hard to embrace their own desires and identity. They may struggle with understanding and expressing their sexuality outside of the military context.
Many soldiers have been taught that certain behaviors are shameful or wrong. It can take significant effort to overcome these internalized beliefs and learn healthy communication skills when engaging in interpersonal relations.
Hierarchical military culture can play a role in shaping how soldiers approach relational negotiation and consent. By becoming aware of these factors, we can better support soldiers transitioning back into civilian life after service.
How do soldiers perceive the impact of hierarchical military culture on relational negotiation and consent?
In a hierarchical military setting, soldiers may experience difficulty negotiating relationships with their superiors due to strict adherence to protocol and authority figures. This can make it challenging for them to express opinions and desires that differ from those of their commanders, leading to feelings of powerlessness and frustration. The lack of autonomy in decision-making may also undermine trust and respect between superiors and subordinates, potentially damaging the ability to build effective teams.