Should Women Be Allowed in Infantry Units?

This topic has been a conversation in military circles for decades, can women make it in an infantry unit?  No doubt that women in our military are an assets and essential to what they do.  Our women in uniform are noble Americans that volunteer to serve our country and sacrifice in my opinion just as much if not more than their male counterparts do.  A very small percentage of the United States citizens are in the Armed Forces and even a smaller percentage are women.  Our military is a huge wheel of moving parts with numerous responsibilities and occupations to keep the wheel turning.  Each one plays a vital role in what our military does on daily basis to perform their duty and serve their nation.  One of the things that make service members outstanding in some areas and below average in some areas is our physical ability.  We can not deny the fact that we are all different.  For example, some members can withstand more tropical humid temperature than others,  some have a photographic memories and can recall data and regulation very easily.  Some are gifted with mechanical skills and other are blessed with unique abilities to problem solve on the fly.  All of these are physical attribute that give one the edge over the other.

The United States Marines Corps is one of the most demanding military organization in the world.  Their basic training is 13 weeks long (longest of all services) and their physical fitness requirements are the most physically driven of the all the services.  The Marines are an expeditionary force meaning they can basically be anywhere in the world in very little time.  The infantry units are the Marine Corps great strength and the training to be that is very extensive to ensure success in combat.  But the question is can females make it through the training?  The research has shown that generally speaking men have some physical advantages in strength and size.  Marine Officer infantry training is 86 days of harsh training that is extremely difficult for any gender.  The Secretary of Defense ordered the military leaders to start incorporating trials for women into the officer infantry training.  The trial for women in the infantry unit commenced with only 3 women in the group of males going through strenuous training.   60 Minutes ran an article discussing these women and what they has to endure.

Gender equality in a nutshell means that males and females should receive equal treatment and not be discriminated against because of their gender.  Today's culture sees "equal treatment" in a way that it was not meant to be my opinion.  You are likely to hear comments for both males and females, "If she hits you like a man, she should be expected to be hit like a man, using equal treatment as a justification.  Personally,  I am what is called old fashioned and I was raised to treat woman with respect and never put your hands on them for any reason.  Most males are taught this at a young age because we are physically stronger generally speaking.  I do believe that parents should tell their daughters to treat males with respect as well and never put your hands on them.  However, it is less than likely that young girls are taught to treat males with respect as males are taught.  I strongly agree that both men and women should be treated equally, the same pay for doing the same work,  have the same opportunities but the fact of the matter is that males and females are different.  They are physically different and that gives either gender advantages and disadvantages in certain area to successful.  The physical requirements for Marine Officer infantry more conducive for most males to complete the course however it not to say that females can't complete the course.

As I mentioned before, I am old fashioned.  I know that women can open doors by themselves, they do it when I am not around, but I still do it out of courtesy and to be polite.  I was taught by my mother that women were important and precious, as male my role is to protect and honor her.  My culture groomed young men to be potentially good husbands to our wives.  There are gender roles,  some see them as sexist others think it is cultural.  The culture is changing and some women want to break away from the old fashion way others look for it in a partner.  So the question remains,  can women make it in an infantry unit?  I think so however it will not be easy and it will require a female from upper percentage of the gender.  It would be difficult for the average male to make it, I think the same for a woman.

Martin, D. (2015, March 15). A Few Good Women. Retrieved May 22, 2015, from http://www.cbsnews.com/news/female-marines-women-in-combat-60-minutes/

Cultural Barriers Can They Be Broken.

Cultural Barriers Can They Be Broken?

India's culture of categorizing their citizens called a caste system has been going on now for about 15 centuries.  Legend has it that the Hindus ranking system "emerged for a primordial being (O'Neill, n.d.)." The mouth of the being spewed out the priesthood and the tutors, the arms expelled the soldiers and rulers, the thighs produced traders and businessmen and from the feet came the laborers. Yet a lower class exist among them, labeled as the "Untouchables"or Dalit.  They have no place in the primordial being division of the people and they are considered unclean and unworthy and treated that way.

"Wrestling is popular throughout India, but the state of Maharashtra has a particular obsession with the sport, in particular maati kushti, or mud-wrestling. Many poor farming families train at least one son as a wrestler, and for a lucky few it provides an escape route from a life of poverty and caste discrimination (Jha, 2015)." This was the case for one man named Amol Sathe of a small village called Masoli who became famous for his mud wrestling skills.  It was not an easy road for this man to get where he is today. Wrestling was his way out that class of poverty but as an outcast no one wanted to touch him which was going to happen in the sport of wrestling.  His skill level and success began to make compulsive for other to have contact with him as he climbed in popularity.  Cultural Relativism says that we should all understand other cultures beliefs and  practices no matter how taboo they are.  It is difficult however to always understand and accept these cultural difference especially if they clash with the culture we belong to.  In addition, the Hindu culture seems to have little to no regards for the lives of the people that were born into their Dalit caste.  This can truly be troublesome for someone to accept that lives in a country that endeavors to show that all men and women are created equal.  We are far from perfect but far from this caste system as well.

O'Neill, T. (n.d.). Untouchable @ National Geographic Magazine. Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0306/feature1/

Jha, R. (2015, May 9). The mud-wrestler no-one wanted to touch - BBC News. Retrieved May 15, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-32625666

A Mother's Love has No Limits

A Mother’s Love has No Limits

Philosophy has an interest term referred to as cultural relativism.  This theory suggests every human individual's actions and beliefs should be understood by everyone.  This refers to a person primarily having their own culture within.  This article from the BBC news is a prime example of this theory however sometimes this can be troublesome to relate to.   As you read ask yourself, should we even understand the " culture of a psychopath serial killer?  What about the culture of an unique person with a peculiar mindset?  Just some things to consider,  the world is full of different mindset and thought processes we can not account and categorize them all specifically.

The title may sound strange and that is because this story is truly just different, it may even be the first encounter of this with these circumstances.  "The unnamed mother and her husband are challenging an independent regulator's refusal to let them export the eggs from London to a US fertility clinic."  The reason for this exportation request is fulfilled the verbal wishes of her late daughter who died in your late 20's from bowel cancer.  Prior to her death, the young woman frozen her eggs knowing she didn't have long to live so could have children using a sperm donor.  The mother found an institution in the United States that was capable and willing to perform a procedure for about $92,000 to implant the eggs in her womb but London's institution housing the eggs has some reservations.  The daughter did not specify what she wanted to be done with her eggs, so they are cautious about releasing the eggs to her mother and her husband.  What the mother is doing seems to be very honoring to her daughter's wish and she is willing to do what is necessary.  In her mind, this may not seem unique at all but to others on the outside looking in it seem peculiar.  Regardless of how you feel or think the culture of “ a mother’s love having no limits” will continue to surprise us.

 Mother in legal battle to have dead daughter's baby - BBC News. (2015, May 9). Retrieved May 9, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-32652095

Genetically Eliminating Diseases

Genetically Eliminating Diseases

Our society is fascinated and has benefited the by scientific discoveries that we have made in research and experiments concern genes and chromosomes.  But how far is too far?  Can an unethical scientific experiment produce something value for the future?  Is worth it and is there a justifiable reason? This article on BBC news reports the stance the United States is taking as it applies to modifying DNA in embryos.  To paraphrazed, the United States will not fund this type of research but this type of experiment has been going on in China.  I must say that China has an unique outlook on population control which make me believe that they would not be completely against what we would consider "a line that should not be crossed."  The research is traying  to modify DNA at the genetics level in embryos to eliminate diseases that causes by defective DNA.  However, everyone doesn't see it as such a good thing after all.
"Dr Marcy Darnovsky, from the Center for Genetics and Society in the US, argued: "There is no persuasive medical reason to manipulate the human germline because inherited genetic diseases can be prevented using embryo screening techniques, among other means (Gallagher, 2015)."  There are additional screening processes that look for chromosomal defects before the embryo is implanted into the uterus.  However these treatments are normally for parents that are high risk for Down's Syndrome, etc.  The intent seems to be noble but the sacrifice to attain the goal of eliminating genetic defects may be too much.

Embryo screening. (n.d.). Retrieved May 2, 2015, from http://www.londonwomensclinic.com/london/embryo_screening

Gallagher, J. (2015, April 30). US 'will not fund research for modifying embryo DNA' - BBC News. Retrieved May 2, 2015, from http://www.bbc.com/news/health-32530334

Deception for Success

Deception of Success

Philosophy's theories of Egoism both ethical and psychological have been used to sometimes define the actions and the thoughts of humans.  Ethical egoism states that human should/ought to be selfish in their thoughts and actions in order to fulfill their desire to be happy.  Psychological egoism is a little different and states that our behaviors are to fulfill our personal desires.  Does that seems to be such a bad thing?  Doesn't everyone want to be happy and fulfilled?  This week example maybe the negative aspect of ethical egoism, where the acts to deceive others greatly profited another.

Australian blogger, Belle Gibson, has a successful business that started from giving health tips and recipes online for a healthier lifestyle.  She has published a book with recipes and also a smart phone app for the mobile users.  Ms. Gibson is fairly adamant above refraining from consuming gluten, coffee and dairy products.  Her rise to success was based on her battle of terminal cancer.  Everything seem to be legitimate until she was asked to show some evidence of her illness and she never make a significant donation she had promised.  Ms. Gibson finally admits to being untruthful about her illness and stated that she was not sorry about it.  In addition, she made statement like, "I don't want forgiveness," coming clean was "the responsible thing to do" or "Above anything, I would like people to say, 'Okay, she's human.'" (n.d, 2015) Are her actions immoral and deceiving? Or is she just living life?  I would let you decide,  her statements show that she just sees it as harmless and that she is only human.


Australian health blogger admits faking terminal cancer. (2015, April 23). Retrieved April 23, 2015, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-32420070

The Choices of Life

There are times in life where we will have to make a moral-based decision.  It is often in the emotion of the moment with fears of the unknown weighing on our minds.  Everyone has a difference in their beliefs about specific behaviors or actions guided by our personal moral compass.  The decisions can be difficult and can alter lives greatly, what we could call a life changing choice.  What if that life choice is the choice of life or not?

 One of the most controversial topics in the world today is abortion.  Is it right or is it wrong?  Does the women solely have the right to make that choice.  Is it moral or ethical?  Most will contend that it's the woman's choice, others will say that it's not right thing under any circumstance.  Yet others,  what about the father's choice?  Jemima Kirke, a popular star from the TV series, "Girls" opens up about her abortion in college and the reasons for which she did it.  Mrs Kirke had an unexpected pregnancy in college and believed that, "she made the best decision she could have at the time: “My life was just not conducive to raising a happy, healthy child”" (Miller, 2015).  Her thought process at the time could be consider somewhat altruistic in the sense that she was considering the life of the child.  On the contrary,  it could be said that it is more egoism because she was actually thinking about herself and not the life of the child.   Regardless of your stance, it is an option that some choose and others do not for their own reasons.  Does the desire for a wealthy life style affect women's choice?  Is maintain an image, a relationship or status a determining factor?

The research from the National Survey of Family Growth involved 3,885 single women ranging from ages 15 to 44 who were not looking to get pregnant, could help with providing some ideas.  "Among women who experienced unplanned pregnancies, 31.9 percent of those in the most affluent group had abortions, versus only 8.6 percent of women in the poorest group." ( Lapp, 2015).  There were several reasons why they thought this was so, one being knowledge.  Another small sample conducted by the author, Amber Lapp, in the article, 'Why Poorer Women with Unintended Pregnancies Are Less Likely to Get Abortions' she says that, "Only 26 percent of the women I interviewed who had no four-year college degree could be described as pro-choice (which I defined as the view that abortion should be generally available and the woman’s choice without restriction), whereas 53 percent of the college-educated women I interviewed fit into that category." (Lapp, 2015).  She mentions a caveat to the 26% pro-choice however, that states that half of them said that they would not do it themselves.  The article addresses some interesting points to argue the point that poorer women are less likely to have an abortion.  

Philosophy has two significant theories that we can use to examine the moral choices of abortion.  One of these is the Deontology, that is based on obligation to duty and no subjectivity.  The consequences do not matter but the intentions behind your actions is all that counts.  In addition, there is a categorical imperative which simply means you should act as if your actions could be a universal law for all.  The other theory is the Utilitarianism theory, which basically states that your actions, if good, should produce a good outcome and minimize the bad outcomes.  The theory is loosing based on the pleasure of many outweighs the pleasure of one.  There's sub-theories that still carry a similar notation.  For example, you have 6 patients with a deadly disease and only 5 vials of a cure.  One of the patients will need all 5 vials to survive but the other 5 patients need just one each.  Under this theory you give one vial per patient that only needs one and the 6th dies. There are also extremes with this theory,  for instance if one person is trapped beneath electronic component and in order to rescue him you much cause others temporary discomfort the theory says the masses happy is worth more than the individual.  Maybe both theories have there place and have some validity, hopefully there is a happy medium to our life choices.

https://screen.yahoo.com/jemima-kirke-shares-her-story-130000146.html

Miller, K. (2015, April 14). 'GIRLS' Star Jemima Kirke On Her Abortion: 'If I Didn't Take The Anesthesia, I Would Be Able To Afford To Do This' Retrieved April 15, 2015, from https://www.yahoo.com/health/jemima-kirke-on-the-cost-of-abortion-for-the-116315782017.html

Lapp, A. (2015, March 10). Why Poor Women with Unintended Pregnancies Are Less Likely to Get Abortions | Family Studies. Retrieved April 15, 2015, from http://family-studies.org/why-poor-women-with-unintended-pregnancies-are-less-likely-to-get-abortions/

The Intangibles of Morality

There are several theories and concepts in Philosophy that attempt to quantify or categorize morals and ethical behaviors whether it be ones that are socially acceptable or ones that are against the cultural norm.  Is it possible that we are trying to categorize an intangible thing? For example,  one theory, Egoism, argues that humans are selfish in nature and any actions we take subconsciously or consciously must have some personally gain to the individual.  Other theories go to the extremes and state that there is no such thing as wrong or right since every culture does not see things the same so no one can be completely right.  I don't necessarily agree with latter, ethical nihilism, but it has its place.  Here are a few examples that to me shows that just maybe personal morals behaviors are very difficult to quantify.

On Valentines' Day, a woman was driving in her new car which was also her Valentines' Day gift when she got into an accident.  She was stuck in the vehicle and was yelling for help and honking the car horn to get passersby's attention. She said that a man named Harrison founded her and said he was going to stay with her and hold her hand until help came.  He broke through the windscreen with his bare hands to create a hole injuring himself to make good on his promise.  He stayed with her until help got there.  They both went to same hospital where he needed surgery to repair his hand.  If he had a conscious or unconsciously agenda or the coding of prominent gene to have some personally gain, this scenario make it hard to determine for me.

Another story about a young woman that stopped to offer a ride to a elderly lady that need transportation to see her daughter in the hospital.  The elderly lady was waiting for 2 hours for the hospital shuttle or the bus but neither came.  As she helped the elderly lady out of the vehicle and elderly man asked her to for ride to the pharmacy to pick up his heart medication.   She brought him there and waited for him and brought him home.  She is now friends with both people.  Instead of selfish gain, I see compassion and care not a collection of DNA.

Some theories seem to try to make robots out of humans.  What I mean is that, it try to make us readable or predictable.  But the human mind is unpredictable in its ways.  There are no wires and circuit boards with programs to control them.  We have a living, changing and unique computer called the brain and it very difficult to understand and quantify its actions.  Maybe the theories have some truth but it is too elementary and simple to say that we are just selfish and that is why we do good.  We are far too complex for that simple of a theory, it is way more intricate that.  It maybe it is something that is not tangible, maybe it is spiritual thing, or emotional thing, heart/ soul thing.  Just maybe it is, we see others in a bad position, put ourselves in that position,  and do what we would want someone else to do for us.  It is very difficult to put a measuring stick on the intangibles we have as humans as it applies to morals and ethics, I believe that is one of the many reasons why there are so many theories.

Albright, L. (n.d.). Random Acts of Kindness: Kind man literally lent hand when she drove over hillside. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.post-gazette.com/news/portfolio/2014/02/27/Random-Acts-of-Kindness-Kind-man-literally-lent-hand-when-she-drove-over-hillside/stories/201402270182

Biddle, D. (2015, April 8). Her awesome random act of kindness. Retrieved April 8, 2015, from http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/well-good/inspire-me/67651909/hamilton-womans-random-act-of-easter-sunday-kindness-warms-our-heart