Military Mothers

Abstract

Compared to women in the civilian work force, women in the Armed Forces face different challenges, including the strict structure (in terms of time management, commitment, and hierarchy of ranks) and male-dominated camaraderie of the military, which contrasts the more flexible and independent atmosphere of many civilian jobs. Servicewomen are also faced with interpersonal dynamics, which may be different from their civilian experiences. Family relationships may be affected by frequent separations, and professional relationships may be affected by gender stereotypes and unequal role opportunities for female personnel (MoD, 2010). The increase in UK servicewomen has led to a growing interest, by Ministry of Defence (MoD) policy and academics, into the stressors they face, including the effects of combat exposure, deployment, and family separation. One key aspect of the female experience within the military is how they manage their obligations of being a mother. How do servicewomen deal with the physical and psychological pressures of motherhood? In particular, how do they retain their biological predisposition as a primary caregiver while balancing and coping with the expectations of a deployed servicewoman in uniform and of military life in general? (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved) (Source: chapter)