The armed forces of any country are a fighting force and even die hard activists of women’s liberation will agree that the going is tough for a soldier fighting in the inhospitable terrain of Afghanistan or the valley of Kashmir. The opponents in these cases are die hard fanatics who profess a religion that gives very few rights to a woman. The question that needs to be answered is, whether women can be active participants as soldiers and warriors in such scenarios.

Historical records of wars are available for 4000 years. That is a pretty long time. However even a cursory reading of the campaigns of Hannibal and Alexander to those of Chengiz khan and Napoleon will show that no women soldiers were used or took part in any operation. There could be exceptions here and there like Joan of Arc or a Rani of Jhansi, but the underlying thread is that women have by and large never been soldiers.

However there are records to show that women did accompany soldiers and armies in a different capacity as ‘camp followers’ or ‘comfort women’. Their job was to comfort the soldier after the heat of battle. Women activists who propagate gender equality, must understand that something not in vogue or practiced for thousands of years cannot be negated at one stroke of a pen.

A deeper study will show that women as soldiers or officers cannot stand up to the rigors of the job due to their God given qualities. Firstly women are not as strong as men and secondly they have inherent biological cycles that cannot be obviated and certainly can be restrictive in the heat of combat. That is the reason even an enlightened nation like the USA does not use women for combat duties.

A few times the women were used as soldiers like during the first Iraq war the results were disastrous as an Iraqi attack took some women recruits as prisoners with disastrous results of sexual assault. Women’s equality with man certainly needs to be supported but women in the armed forces is not the best of things. Perhaps their role as non combatants can have some meaning as they will add a feminine and healing touch in a world that is certainly a mans world.

There are many positive benefits for your teenager should they attend a military school. But, like most things in life, there can be a downside as well. Here is a report explaining what’s good and bad about study in a military high school.

To start with if your teen is in trouble with serious health issues or a major attitude problem, they stand little or no chance of being accepted. Military schools today set very high academic standards. They are not therapy centers for kids with problems. Two of their major goals are to produce students able to enter prestigious colleges and/or join the military.

Discipline is a major part of a military environment. If your teen is lazy and disrespectful they will get a serious jolt in a military school. They will be out of bed at 0600 hours, they will make their bed and tidy their possessions, and they will be on the parade ground and exercising before breakfast. This type of lifestyle could change your teen’s attitude to life.

Of course a military school is a residential facility and while students are allowed to attend approved activities in the local town, things like taking a part-time job in the grocery store are simply not an option.

There is a full extra-curricula program at a military school with plenty of time for artistic pursuits and outdoor education. This means your child is getting an all-round education and enjoying their schooling at the same time.

Opportunities for leadership roles are many and varied in a military education. If your child requires a challenge and enjoys being a leader, they will develop their talents and be truly extended in such a school. It is ideal for developing the total person.

If as a parent you are looking to a military school to mollycoddle your child, you will be disappointed. It’s much more a shape up or ship out approach from the school. If your child chooses to disobey and fails to complete tasks, the school will not spend a great deal of time and effort in whipping them into line.

Those who do work hard are sure to be well rewarded and for life. College entrance is likely and if a career in the military is required, this type of secondary education is perfect for such a move.

A military school is a community where teamwork and bonding is part of every day life. If this suits your child, fine. If your child is a loner and doesn’t like a regimented and disciplined lifestyle, then a military school is not for them.