The military is an institution that has been known for its strict adherence to traditional gender roles and expectations. For centuries, men have been expected to be tough, stoic, and emotionless while women were supposed to be submissive and nurturing. This rigid way of thinking about gender has impacted how soldiers approach their relationships and the ways they deal with emotional vulnerability. It can lead to negative outcomes such as increased stress, anxiety, depression, and even suicide rates among military personnel.
One way that gender expectations shape soldiers' approaches to emotional vulnerability is through their interactions with one another. When men are expected to be stoic and unemotional, it can create a culture where expressing feelings is seen as weakness. As a result, many male soldiers may feel pressured to hide their emotions and avoid talking about personal issues with others. This can make it difficult for them to build strong, supportive relationships within their units. On the other hand, women who are expected to be more open and nurturing may face pressure to take on additional emotional labor in their relationships. They may feel like they need to listen to others' problems or provide emotional support without getting much reciprocity in return. This imbalance can lead to frustration and resentment, which can negatively affect unit cohesion and morale.
Another way that gender expectations shape soldiers' approaches to emotional vulnerability is through training. Traditional military training emphasizes physical strength, courage, and discipline over communication skills, empathy, and emotional intelligence. This can leave many soldiers ill-equipped to handle interpersonal conflicts or navigate complex emotional situations.
If a soldier experiences sexual harassment or assault from a fellow soldier, they may not know how to report it or seek help because they have been taught that showing weakness or vulnerability is shameful. Similarly, if a female soldier faces discrimination or mistreatment based on her gender, she may feel isolated and unable to find allies or support within her unit.
In addition to shaping soldiers' approaches to emotional vulnerability, gender expectations also shape their relational labor. Relational labor refers to the invisible work that goes into building and maintaining relationships. In the military, this often includes things like socializing outside of work hours, attending family events, and supporting one another during deployments or transitions.
Traditional gender roles can make this difficult for both men and women. Men may feel pressured to spend less time with their families or avoid showing vulnerability around other male colleagues who view it as weakness. Women may feel pressure to take on more domestic responsibilities at home while still being expected to be nurturing and supportive in their units.
Gender expectations within military environments are a significant factor influencing soldiers' approaches to emotional vulnerability and relational labor. It creates a culture where expressing feelings is seen as weakness, making it challenging for many soldiers to build strong relationships or seek support when needed. By recognizing these issues and working to change them, we can create healthier, more inclusive military cultures that value all members equally, regardless of gender identity or expression.
How do rigid gender expectations within military environments shape soldiers' approaches to emotional vulnerability and relational labor?
The expectation of men to embody hypermasculine ideals has led them to internalize cultural norms that dictate their behavior and how they present themselves while serving in the military. This can make it difficult for them to show signs of vulnerability such as expressing emotions openly because this would be seen as weakness.