Society is composed of individuals who come together to form groups that are governed by various norms and values. These norms and values can be social, cultural, religious, political, economic, or even psychological. It is important to note that each society has its own way of viewing these factors differently.
In some cultures, men are seen as the breadwinners while women are viewed as homemakers. In other societies, both genders work outside the home. In yet another society, same-sex marriages are forbidden. This means that when it comes to military contexts, different societies have varying perspectives about what should happen if there is an intervention between individuals based on their gender, age, race, sexual orientation, etc.
In military contexts, soldiers often interact with people from diverse backgrounds, which may make them vulnerable to relational stress caused by societal marginalization. Societal marginalization involves the systematic oppression of certain groups of people due to their differences in terms of culture, religion, ethnicity, sex, sexuality, class, and physical appearance. The marginalized group experiences discrimination, prejudice, and exclusion from mainstream society. They also experience a lack of recognition, representation, or acceptance within the general population. When such individuals join the military, they face challenges since they do not fit into the typical soldier profile. They are likely to suffer from feelings of rejection, isolation, anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem because they feel like outcasts. As a result, they experience more stress than other soldiers who come from similar socioeconomic backgrounds.
Black soldiers in the United States faced significant issues during World War II. Since many white officers did not believe that blacks were capable enough to fight alongside whites, they were given menial tasks such as cooking, cleaning, and transportation. They were also placed under the leadership of white commanders who saw them as inferior beings. Consequently, this made them feel less valued and appreciated, leading to high levels of relational stress.
Homosexuality was not widely accepted at that time; hence any soldier suspected to be gay faced persecution both at home and abroad.
The second factor is ageism. Older soldiers find it difficult to adjust to new technologies used in modern warfare. This can cause conflict between themselves and younger soldiers, which leads to resentment and distrust. In some cases, they may even develop feelings of envy towards young soldiers for being more knowledgeable about technology. Such differences can lead to tension, creating an unhealthy environment where old soldiers cannot relate well with their counterparts.
Sexual orientation plays a crucial role in how marginalized people interact with others.
If a soldier's sexual preference is different from what is acceptable within his or her society, he/she may face discrimination and rejection from colleagues, making him/her feel lonely and isolated. The same applies to those whose physical appearance differs significantly from those considered 'normal' by society. These factors all contribute to increased relational stress among military personnel.
Societal marginalization amplifies relational stress because it causes individuals to feel like outcasts within their communities. It makes them feel rejected, unimportant, and unwelcome, which ultimately affects their productivity and performance in the workplace. Therefore, addressing these issues requires sensitizing members of society on tolerance and acceptance of diversity. Military leaders should also ensure that all personnel are treated fairly regardless of their backgrounds.
In what ways does societal marginalization amplify relational stress in military contexts?
Societal marginalization refers to the process of excluding individuals from certain groups or communities based on their social identities such as race, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, etc. This can have detrimental effects on people's mental health and well-being. In the case of military settings, marginalized individuals may experience additional stress due to their status as minorities within an already high-stress environment.