The Selective Service System, precursor to the draft, impacts the lives of millions of American families during wartime. Men of ages 18 to 25 must register and may train for military service. Complying with gender equality laws, women should be required to register for the draft.
Currently, the government mandates that men register within thirty days of reaching age 18. The system provides data for the draft, ensuring that the United States military has enough manpower should a global conflict break out. Recruitment would increase in the event of an all-gender draft, boosting manpower for rapid response to crises globally.
Since the creation of feminist movements, more argue that women should have equal job opportunities. Subsequently, there should be laws including women in the draft. Such laws would revolutionize equality for both genders, and jobs across the military would be filled without consideration of gender.
In the nation’s past, women fought for basic liberties within society. Movements such as suffrage and feminism made significant impacts on the process of guaranteeing women the freedoms of voting, education, and employment.
According to the Selective Service website, drafts are equitable by registering all eligible men. If they choose not to, privileges such as a driver’s license, financial aid, and federal job training will be forfeited. There is also a fine of up to $250,000 or five years in prison.
What about women? Women fought for their rights, but should have to sacrifice similarly. These privileges should be at stake for women, providing similar incentives as it does for men.
Today, these rights are given to every citizen, yet not all sacrifice at the same extent as men. Modern-day feminists fight the gender pay gap and gender preferences in jobs. Their fight would be honored by requiring female registration for the draft.
However, some do not share the viewpoint of being eligible for the draft. According to Valerie Hudson on “Deseret,” women are delicate, and mandatory registration would burden them more than it would men.
In contrast to Hudson’s statement, requiring women to register significantly contributes to equality, and reduces gender gaps within the military. Women have served in combat and have proven themselves capable of adequate performance.
With today’s recruiting crisis, a draft may be necessary. The nation needs troops in order to be fully prepared. Between the Civil War and the Second World War, women tried helping in the military in any way– whether it was by nursing, manufacturing, or performing on stage. Now, they have more freedom in job selection and should use it to equalize gender representation in the workforce.