In modern militaries around the world, soldiers are required to perform their duties with utmost dedication and discipline while living up to strict societal expectations regarding masculinity.
Some soldiers may have personal feelings and desires that do not align with these gender roles, creating psychological conflicts within themselves. This paper will explore how this issue can affect soldiers' mental health and wellbeing.
The first part of this article examines how soldiers are conditioned to behave according to society's norms for men since childhood. They learn from early age that they must be tough, brave, aggressive, and stoic. They also develop an interest in sports and outdoor activities such as hunting and camping, and enjoy competitive games like football or video games. As adults, they join the military where they continue to embody masculine traits and qualities such as strength, courage, and loyalty. These behaviors become second nature, and they become accustomed to suppressing emotions such as fear or anxiety. Soldiers are trained to ignore pain and discomfort, even when it could indicate physical injury.
During deployment, soldiers often experience situations where they need to express vulnerability or show compassion.
They might feel a deep attachment to fellow soldiers who risk their lives together, which goes against traditional masculine ideals. Likewise, soldiers may encounter difficult circumstances such as death, injury, or witnessing atrocities that challenge their ability to remain strong and stoic. When these contradictory needs arise, soldiers may find themselves struggling to cope mentally, leading to depression, PTSD, or other mental illnesses.
Some soldiers may experience sexual attraction towards other members of their unit or civilian women while deployed. If they act on these feelings, they risk being viewed as weak or unmanly by their peers and superiors, exacerbating the psychological conflict.
Societal expectations regarding gender roles can make it difficult for soldiers to express these feelings openly, resulting in guilt, shame, or isolation.
This article has explored how soldiers' true emotional needs may clash with society's expectations of masculinity, creating psychological conflicts that can impact their mental health and wellbeing. It is essential for military leaders and mental health professionals to address these issues proactively to help soldiers cope and maintain good mental health throughout their careers. By doing so, we can ensure that our military personnel have the support they need to serve their country effectively and safely.
What psychological conflicts arise when a soldier's true emotional needs contradict the gender norms they were trained to embody?
When soldiers are sent off for war, they often experience difficulties in coping with their emotions due to the pressure of conforming to society's expectations about masculinity. They may feel conflicted between expressing their true emotions and following traditional gender roles that emphasize stoicism and bravery. This can lead to feelings of isolation, self-doubt, and even depression.