In modern militaries, soldiers are exposed to constant propaganda that shapes their sexual beliefs and morals about warfare and violence. Propaganda is designed to influence individuals' attitudes towards conflict and combat, which impacts how they behave during battle and afterwards when returning home. This article explores how these messages affect soldiers' sexuality through examples from literature, film, television, and social media.
When soldiers join the military, they may be taught to view sexual activity as an expression of strength and dominance.
In the book "The Red Badge of Courage," Stephen Crane describes how Henry feels after he kills his first enemy: "He felt like some great, hot animal within him." In this instance, killing becomes linked with masculine power and domination, making it more desirable than having sex. This idea is reinforced in films such as "Full Metal Jacket" where private Pyle talks about "killing women and children" while fantasizing about getting laid. Soldiers who internalize these messages may develop unhealthy views of sex that normalizes rape or other forms of abuse.
Military personnel also learn to justify their actions using moral reasoning based on principles promoted by propaganda. They may believe that violence is necessary for defense or justice, making them feel justified in committing acts of aggression against civilians or prisoners of war.
In "Apocalypse Now," Captain Willard says, "I love the smell of napalm in the morning." He rationalizes bombing a village because he thinks it will prevent further attacks against US troops. Similarly, in "Saving Private Ryan," soldiers argue that they must kill German civilians to save American lives. These ideas are often reinforced by news coverage which glorifies heroic acts of bravery during combat operations.
Social media can further shape soldiers' perceptions of gender roles and expectations around intimacy. Many veteran accounts on TikTok promote hypermasculinity by posting videos about fitness and firearms training while ignoring emotional needs related to relationships. One vlogger stated, "Girls don't want sensitive guys; they want strong ones!" Another soldier wrote, "If she doesn't respect my authority, I have no use for her." This attitude emphasizes power dynamics instead of empathy or mutuality within romantic partnerships. It can lead to toxic masculinity where men try to control their partner's behavior through force or manipulation.
These messages become internalized into soldiers' identities. It becomes part of who they are as individuals when returning home from deployment.
This can be problematic if it leads to unhealthy attitudes towards sex and intimacy with civilians. Some may seek out domination or violence during sexual encounters due to conditioned beliefs about how men should act. Others may struggle with PTSD symptoms such as nightmares or flashbacks associated with trauma experienced on the battlefield.
This article has discussed three ways military propaganda shapes soldiers' sexuality - through teaching them to view killing over intimacy; promoting moral reasoning based on aggression; and perpetuating harmful attitudes towards women in social media posts. Understanding how these ideas impact soldiers can help us better support them after they return from combat operations, providing resources that address their unique needs related to healthy relationships and mental health care.
How does the pervasive presence of military propaganda shape the sexual beliefs and moral reasoning of soldiers over extended periods?
The pervasive presence of military propaganda shapes the sexual beliefs and moral reasoning of soldiers by promoting an idealized image of masculinity that emphasizes dominance and control. Over extended periods, this can lead to harmful behaviors such as sexual assault and harassment, as well as mental health issues like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression.