Soldiers face many challenges when it comes to balancing their personal lives with their military careers. One such challenge is managing emotions and expressing them appropriately within their professional environment. This can be especially difficult because the military has strict rules about how soldiers are expected to behave and express themselves. At the same time, they may also have strong desires for close relationships with family members, friends, and romantic partners. How do soldiers reconcile these competing priorities?
Let's consider the institutional expectations that govern soldier behavior. The military emphasizes discipline, order, and obedience. Soldiers are expected to follow orders without question and maintain strict control over their emotions, both positive and negative. They must always remain focused on the mission at hand, even in times of crisis or stress. This means that soldiers may feel pressure to suppress their feelings, particularly those that could be seen as weaknesses or vulnerabilities.
But what about cultural norms and expectations regarding emotion expression and self-control? Different cultures have different attitudes towards emotion expression and self-control. Some cultures value openness and transparency, while others place a higher value on stoicism and reserve. These cultural values can conflict with the expectations of the military.
A soldier from a culture where showing affection is commonplace may find it difficult to restrain himself or herself during deployment, while someone from a culture where displays of affection are rare may struggle to show any emotion at all.
There are individual differences among soldiers that need to be considered. Some people may be more naturally inclined towards emotional expression than others, while some may be more reserved by nature. Personal experiences can also play a role - a soldier who has suffered a traumatic event in the past may have difficulty controlling his or her emotions around other people, while someone who has never experienced trauma may find it easier to bottle up their feelings.
Balancing relational priorities with institutional and cultural expectations can be challenging for soldiers.
There are ways they can navigate this tension by being mindful of their own personalities and needs, as well as the environment they are operating in. By understanding both the rules and norms of the military and their own emotional needs, soldiers can find a balance between expressing themselves authentically and meeting institutional expectations.
How do soldiers reconcile relational priorities with institutional and cultural expectations regarding emotional expression and self-control?
The military is an environment where individuals have to balance their personal relationships, expectations of self-control, and professional duties. These factors can conflict and create tension, which may result in psychological distress for some members. To manage these challenges, soldiers learn to develop coping mechanisms such as compartmentalization, which involves separating different facets of their lives and keeping them separate from each other. This helps maintain order, focus on tasks at hand, and reduce stress levels.