Gender and The Military

My grandfather, great-grandfather, and great-uncle have been a part of the military.  The military is still specifically a great influence in my grandfathers life.  He is my mom's father and because of his being part of the military I feel that the family has a greater connection and care for America and its value than some other people.  However, because of his military experience his view on gender remains consistent with gender boxing.  There is the expression, "don't ask, don't tell" with gay people and the military.  There is also feeling women's job is to care for the men- in all ways.  This mindset is changing, however, I think there is still a ways to go. 
As for gender, I have seen this clearly from the fact that all my family members that have served in the military are men.  This is reflective of the fact that only 14.5% of people that serve are women, and only 2.7% of people that serve on the front line are women.  I believe that women are still unsure about joining the military as they feel as though they are unwelcomed, and these low percentages demonstrate this.
Military wives differ than military husbands because of social expectations.  No matter who is deployed the other parents becomes the only parent.  This causes them to take on ALL of the responsibilities and act as both mom and dad.  This is a new, challenging task for either gender.  Struggles include becoming overwhelmed and feelings of guilt as not being able to be the breadwinner of the family since they have to compensate time/jobs for being the only available parent.  On the negative, it seems the military wives and husbands differ by what society deems as 'allowed'.  An example of how this is viewed can be through media and pop culture representations.  In commercials, you see the wife with a flag, sign, and children waiting for her husband to come back from the military.  Or you see the military son coming home and brewing his family some coffee awaking them to see him.  The media portrays the fact that it is males who are soldiers.  This goes further than commercials, movies, music videos and more always portray the men as soldiers and protectors of our country.  Sadly, the military is still seen as only a man's job.  I hope that more women are able to fight this and that women can be recognized for the great service that BOTH men and women are providing for our country. 

http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/24/us/military-women-glance/