Women should not have to sign up for the draft
Hannah Coon
On their 18th birthday, all men are required by law to sign up with Selective Service, which is the first step in a potential draft.
Women, however, are not required.
Some say this is sexist, others say it is fair.
Senior Zac McKay does not think women should be required to register with Selective Service like men are.
He believes women should have the right to register, but that it should not be deemed mandatory.
Junior Nickole Sarginson agrees that women should not be required by law.
“This may sound old school, but who will take care of the children if both parents get drafted?” Sarginson said. “Women tend to be the primary caregiver, and without them the kids may have a challenging childhood.”
Sarginson makes a great point.
Children need their parents.
However, some people, including senior Jack Lepard, feel differently.
Lepard feels women are pushing for equality and that the draft should be part of it.
“If women want to be equal so bad, then they should sign up for the draft just like men do,” Lepard said.
It is true that feminism is becoming a major theme throughout the states, but is the push for equal pay the same as entering a war?
Physically, many women are not as strong as men.
Would we be able to defend ourselves when it came down to it?
Senior Izabel Swayne does not think so.
“Most women cannot handle it physically or emotionally like men can,” Swayne said. “We should help somehow, though, whether it is medically or some other way.”
I think this is a fair statement.
If it comes down to it, both sexes being drafted could lead to orphaned children, fewer babies being born, an increase in homeless veterans, and a decrease in young people working.
Women should have the choice as to whether or not they want to be active in a war.
Class: Senior
Extracurricular Activities: Student Council Vice President, National Honor Society Vice President
Hobbies/Interests: Volunteering,...
Ryan Thomas • Feb 19, 2016 at 8:29 pm
The following was found under “exemptions” in current selective service law:
“•The father of motherless children under twelve years of age dependent upon his labor for support.”
That indicates that the primary caretaker of a child is not eligible for the draft, and the rule would also apply for women should they be required to register with selective service.
Both parents of a child under age 12 (Not sure why that was the age chosen, most 12 year olds can’t care for themselves) would not be drafted. It would be either the mother or the father, not both.