Sexual coercion is an act where one person forces another to participate in unwanted sexual activity through physical force, threats, pressure, manipulation, or abuse of power. It can take many forms, from verbal harassment to rape and assault. Sexual coercion often occurs within close relationships, such as friendships, dating, marriage, parenthood, employment, or military service. Research has shown that soldiers experience higher rates of sexual coercion than civilians due to their unique conditions of living and working together in tight-knit groups. This can have profound impacts on self-identity and moral reasoning among those who are subjected to it. This paper will explore how experiences of sexual coercion influence self-identity and moral reasoning among soldiers.
How do experiences of sexual coercion influence self-identity?
Experiences of sexual coercion can significantly impact a soldier's sense of self-worth, confidence, and identity. When someone is forced into unwanted sexual activities, they may feel ashamed, guilty, humiliated, and fearful. They may question their own judgment, beliefs, or desires. Their sense of control over their body and emotions may be compromised, leading to feelings of vulnerability and helplessness. These feelings can persist long after the incident, creating lasting psychological trauma and distress. In addition, soldiers may internalize blame and self-blame for what happened, leading to low self-esteem and negative self-talk.
How does this relate to self-identity? Self-identity is shaped by our perceptions of ourselves and our place in the world. Experiences of sexual coercion challenge these perceptions, making it difficult for victims to see themselves as strong, powerful, capable, or independent individuals. They may feel like they are less worthy or deserving of respect than others, which affects their relationships with peers, colleagues, family members, and society at large. They may doubt their ability to make good decisions or navigate complex situations, leading to a lack of self-confidence and trust. This can also impact their military career and future prospects.
Sexual coercion can lead to dissociation from one's gender identity, sex drive, or sexual orientation. Victims may feel confused about their own desires or needs, questioning whether they really want intimacy or desire specific partners. They may experience dysphoria, confusion, or shame around their sexuality, which can affect how they express themselves and form relationships. They may also struggle with gender roles and expectations, feeling that their gender does not match their experiences or beliefs. All these factors contribute to a sense of fragmented or fractured self-identity, where victim's feel uncomfortable or ashamed in their own skin.
How do experiences of sexual coercion influence moral reasoning?
Experiences of sexual coercion can also have significant effects on a soldier's moral reasoning. When someone is forced into unwanted activities, they often feel conflicted between what they believe is right and wrong. They may feel guilt, shame, and embarrassment, leading them to question their own ethical standards and values. They may wonder if they did the 'right thing' by complying or resisting, second-guessing themselves and doubting their judgement. These feelings can persist long after the incident, causing deep anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress symptoms.
This can further impact a soldier's morals and moral decision-making. Victims may doubt their ability to make good choices or follow their conscience when faced with similar situations in the future. They may struggle to trust their intuition or impulses, making it difficult to assess risk or danger accurately. This can lead to mistakes or poor judgment calls, creating additional challenges for military service.
Victims may feel helpless or powerless in other areas of life, leading them to seek out shortcuts or easy solutions to problems. They may adopt an attitude of cynicism or pessimism, believing that there are no good options or outcomes available to them. They may turn to drugs, alcohol, or other substances as coping mechanisms, which can affect their performance and safety on the job. All these factors can compromise a soldier's sense of integrity and honor, leading to confusion about how to act or respond in difficult circumstances.
Experiences of sexual coercion can have significant impacts on self-identity and moral reasoning among soldiers. It can challenge their perceptions of themselves, others, and the world around them, creating lasting psychological trauma and distress. By understanding these effects, we can better support survivors and create safe environments for all military personnel.
How do experiences of sexual coercion influence self-identity and moral reasoning among soldiers?
Experiences of sexual coercion can have significant impacts on an individual's sense of self-identity and moral reasoning. Soldiers who experience such situations may feel ashamed, guilt-ridden, and powerless, leading them to question their personal values and beliefs about morality and justice. Furthermore, they may struggle with feelings of betrayal and loss of trust in others, which can affect their relationships both inside and outside of the military.