Sunday, May 27, 2007

Sargent Mom

Women's eNews reported today that moms in the military are getting heat from their kids for their extended tours in Iraq. It cites a study conducted by the Joint Economic Committee. It seems women make up 1 in 7 of the U.S. forces in Iraq, and close to 40 percent of active duty soldiers are mothers.

The report and the article are great ways to squeeze at people's hearts about the consequences of extended leave, but I am going to make one argument. It is often portrayed that the absent mother is the most egregious thing a woman can do. The same stigma is not attached to the absent father. Why should father on an extended tour be any less bad that a mother on an extended tour?

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