Mission accomplished? Gender Equality in the Military

Seminar paper from the year 2007 in the subject Sociology - Gender Studies, grade: 1,3, Ruhr-University of Bochum, course: Gender and Organization, language: English, abstract: Ever since women have entered the professional world, constructions and notions of gender and gender equality have become relevant - not only do they reflect changes and developments in society but also have had a deep impact on (and the change of) organizations. It seems that gender equality has presented a challenge for all kinds of organizations - but in not other organization, gender has been as central and (as it seems) as difficult to handle as in the military.
The military has always been an organization in which social perceptions and constructions of gender have been prevalent - it is one of the last institutions where the monopole of power has throughout rested with men (Gabbert 2007, 17, Seifert/Eifler 1999, 7). It is an organization where hegemonial masculinity and related concepts such as power, violence and hierarchy have been produced, reproduced and become institutionalized as a dominant structuring feature.
[...] Up to now, this seems to have changed: many women in several countries are serving in the military now and are not confined to certain positions anymore; they are allowed to serve at arms and in combat and thus face the same requirements as well as the same career prospects as their male comrades.
This change is the result of a long-lasting and difficult process which was brought about by several developments; most of all, it reflects overall cultural and societal changes and pressures. Laws and quotas concerning and securing gender equality have been enacted and instances such as equal opportunity commissioners have been established in the military in several countries.
But does this really mean that gender equality in the military is really completely achieved and has become an institution? In how far has gender equality been institutionalized? These questions lea