Military Involvement of Women in Canadian History

One of the most important roles that women played, were the increasing large amount of female soldiers fighting in the war. These roles gave women the right to work and serve in armed forces. The jobs that women took part in during this time period made a huge difference in the war, and in turn, WW2 helped expand women’s

In spite of the numerous lives taken and wrecked in the war, World War I ended up considerably changing the lives of Canadian women, markedly, for the better.

The changing roles of women throughout history has been drastic, and none more so than the period during and after World War II. The irrevocable changes that occurred once the war started and women went to work were unprecedented.

The changing roles of women in Canada between 1900 and 1946 greatly impacted women’s lives today. Women during this time period led movements to gain rights for themselves. The Women’s Christian Temperance Union, Flappers, and the Famous Five showed women’s strength in society. Women displayed their contributions to Canada as they worked in different industries. Due to the changing roles of women during these years, women’s power resulted in the gaining of rights and personhood.

The role of females (regardless of loyalties) shifted dramatically from household partners to that of logisticians, medical and intelligence. While we are provided the details of camp followers and sutlers which have been part of military life since time immemorial, women took on various roles that were not explicitly conceived of in the

World War II was a very important moment in Canada's history. There were a lot of causalities and also a lot of women and men that served in the armed services. There were about 42,000 casualties and about one million men and women that served in the armed services – add the statistics later in the essay. Overall, Canadians were known for their proud legacy and sacrifice. There were a lot of negatives and positives throughout WWII, but there were no turning points in Canada's attitude towards women.

Women have played an instrumental role in every American conflict from the Revolutionary War to today complex battlefields. A major turning point for women’s rights was the establishment of the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC) shortly after the attack on Pearl Harbor. WAAC soldiers fought to gain legitimacy within the military and overcome social biases. Their professionalism and determination paved the way forward for women’s integration into one all military branches. The best way to illustrate women’s integration is to start back in colonial times.

(Newman, 227). The CWAC enlisted women to work in the air force, naval service, mechanics, photographers and wireless operators. (Veterans Affair Canada). The important place of women in all three British armed services helped fuel their insistence. Britain’s example should have convinced the men directing the Canadian war effort of the value of women’s military service, but old attitudes died hard.

The 20th Century was a time of change for women in Canada. Throughout the century, women contributed to Canadian life in many ways. Social attitudes made it hard for Canadian women to prosper at first, but with the rise of two World Wars, Canadian women saw their chance and rose to the occasion to help the war effort. Their efforts earned all women a new respect in Canadian society. During the early 1900s, women were thought of as the property of their husbands.

Women have served the military in one fashion or another since the Revolutionary War, in recent years the status of women serving in the military has changed dramatically. Traditionally women have always served in administrative or medical roles. With the advancement of views and the sheer determination of many women, we are seeing women serving in combat and fighting alongside their male counterparts. Training schools such as the Army Ranger school, Marine Infantry training, and pilot training within the Navy and Air Force have opened and began training women to fight. The history of some accomplishments women have made while serving in the military has paved the way for the future of women soldiers to follow.

With the flow of war, there were several major tendencies that are generally corresponded with women of the time. The most important of them is the changing of roles they had to switch to in order to substitute missing men. While women were previously presented with the

     Women have played a tremendous role in many countries' armed forces from the past to the present. Women have thoroughly integrated into the armed forces; all positions in the armed forces should be fully accessible to women who can compete with men intellectually and physically.

Since 1901, women have served in some form of the military, however, dating back to the American Revolution women have had an unofficial role. Women have had and will continue to have an important role in the military, the question is whether women should be allowed to occupy specific combat positions. Traditionally women have not been allowed in combat occupations, but recently these restrictions have been somewhat lifted, making certain occupations available to women. Despite the lift complications arise from women being in combat vocations and it’s not just because of the physical differences, there is also the increased risk of sexual assault. Due to the detrimental impact on the military, soldiers, and society, women should not

When it comes to combat assignments and the needs of the military, men take precedence over all other considerations, including career prospects of female service members. Female military members have been encouraged to pursue opportunities and career enhancement within the armed forces, which limit them only to the needs and good of the service due to women being not as “similarly situated” as their male counterparts when it comes to strength or aggressiveness, and are not able to handle combat situations.

I realized that although in theory women in the armed forces seemed like a good idea, there are many obstacles that make that reality very difficult to achieve. In writing this paper I am not proposing that either position is more valid or right than the other. I only hope to present each side in an equal light to help others to understand the issues involved.