The military environment shapes soldiers' expectations about what is considered appropriate emotional behavior in different ways. One way it does this is through its culture of masculinity, which emphasizes stoicism, toughness, and self-reliance. In many militaries around the world, expressing emotions such as fear, sadness, or vulnerability is seen as weak and unacceptable. This can lead to a suppression of these feelings, which can have negative mental health consequences for soldiers later on.
Another factor that influences how soldiers view emotional expression is their training. Military training often involves physical and psychological conditioning, which can make soldiers feel like they need to suppress their emotions to maintain control and focus on the task at hand. Soldiers may also be taught to "toughen up" or "get over it" when facing difficult situations, further reinforcing the idea that emotions are not something to be expressed openly.
The military environment can create a sense of camaraderie among soldiers, where they bond through shared experiences and trust each other implicitly. This can lead to a sense of closeness and intimacy between soldiers that may make them more comfortable expressing themselves emotionally with one another than they would be outside of the military.
This closeness can also lead to pressure to conform to certain norms, including those related to emotional expression.
The military environment can expose soldiers to trauma, both individually and collectively. The experience of war, injury, loss, or other forms of trauma can lead soldiers to feel intense emotions that they may struggle to process and express in healthy ways. Military environments may not provide adequate support for soldiers to deal with these emotions, leading to repression or even self-destructive behavior.
The military environment shapes soldiers' expectations about acceptable forms of emotional expression by promoting a culture of masculinity that discourages vulnerability, emphasizing the importance of physical and mental toughness, fostering strong bonds within units, and exposing soldiers to traumatic events that can be difficult to process emotionally. These factors can have long-term consequences for soldiers' mental health and well-being, making it important for militaries to address these issues and provide support for soldiers who need help processing their emotions.
How do military environments shape soldiers' expectations about acceptable forms of emotional expression?
The military environment shapes soldiers' expectations about acceptable forms of emotional expression by creating a culture of discipline and self-control that emphasizes the importance of suppressing emotions in order to maintain composure under pressure. Soldiers are trained to be stoic and keep their emotions hidden away, even in situations where they may be experiencing intense feelings like fear, grief, or anger.