Annotated Bibliography

Bibliography: for Women on the Front Lines Thesis: It is the duty of the Pentagon to protect the service men and women of the nation’s military. Therefore, the Pentagon should reverse its decision to allow women in combat because service women have a higher risk of injury or death due to their feminine weaknesses. "APFT Standards." US Army Basic APFT Standards Comments. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 Feb. 2013. This document issued by the Pentagon and US Army illustrates the physical standard differences between men and women soldiers. The document shows that women are expected to perform at a lower standard than their male counterparts in all categories of exercise. The document also shows the gap between men and women physical standards increasing with age. I will use this document to argue that women are too weak to serve in combat if they cannot perform the same amount of physical exercise as their male enemies. Hopkins-Chadwick, Denise L. "The Health Readiness Of Junior Enlisted Military Women: The Social Determinants Of Health Model And Research Questions." Military Medicine 171.6 (2006): 544-549. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. In this study, Hopkins-Chadwick focuses on the general life and health of military women. The study found that only a few women in the military hold high ranking Moss 2 positions. The study also found that women are more likely to be stressed due to family issues. I will use this study to argue that women will not be able to perform efficiently in combat while dealing with all the extra stress they carry. I will also use the study to argue that if women are allowed in combat, they will soon start demanding higher ranked positions even though they might not necessarily deserve them. James Martin, et al. "Mental And Physical Health Status And Alcohol And Drug Use Following Return From Deployment To Iraq Or Afghanistan." American Journal Of Public Health 102.S1 (2012): S66-S73. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. In this study, Martin observes the difference in alcohol and drug use between men and women returning from deployment. The study found that the risk of alcohol and drug use was high in both men and women but more prevalent in men. The study does acknowledge that men have seen way more intense combat than their female counterparts. This study will allow me to argue that if women are allowed in combat then the rate of alcohol and drug use following combat in women will most likely increase. Jim Michaels@jimmichaelsUSA, TODAY. "Strength key in women-in-combat debate." USA Today n.d.: Newspaper Source. Web. 5 Mar. 2013. In this article, Jim Michaels discusses the recent decision to allow women in combat by the Pentagon and the latest argument that questions the physical ability of women. Michaels finds that there would have to be a “gender-neutral test” for isolating physical requirements between men and women, according to Col. Jon Aytes. I will use this find by Michaels to argue that by implementing this new gender-neutral test, the standards on Moss 3 male soldiers will decrease. I will also argue that this decrease in standards will create a weaker military that benefits no one but the enemy. Kwolek, Laurie A., Cristóbal S. Berry-Cabán, and Sean F. Thomas. "Pregnant Soldiers ' Participation In Physical Training: A Descriptive Study." Military Medicine 176.8 (2011): 926-931. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. In this study, Kwolek observed the Pregnant Soldiers Wellness Program and its overall effectiveness on military women following pregnancy. The study found that the program benefited many of the participants which allowed the women to meet postpartum weight/height requirements. I will use this study to argue that although the PSWP is a success, it is also an additional program that will require more funding. I will argue that during times of war the Pentagon should focus on saving money wherever possible and that this program would be costly. Luxton, David D., Nancy A. Skopp, and Shira Maguen. "Gender Differences In Depression And PTSD Symptoms Following Combat Exposure." Depression & Anxiety (1091-4269) 27.11 (2010): 1027-1033. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. In this study, Luxton, Skopp, and Maguen compared the different percentages of depression and PTSD between men and women following combat exposure. The study concluded that there is a slight difference in the percentage of PTSD between men and women, in which women were more likely to test positive. The study also acknowledges that it leaves out several key factors that could affect the actual number of PTSD cases found. I will use this study to argue that there is a bigger difference between the number Moss 4 of men and women PTSD and depression cases by pointing out the study’s absence of key determining factors. Rychnovsky, Jacqueline, and Cheryl Tatano Beck. "Screening For Postpartum Depression In Military Women With The Postpartum Depression Screening Scale." Military Medicine 171.11 (2006): 1100-1104. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. In this study, Rychnovsky and Beck addresses the screening and statistics for postpartum depression in military women. The study determined that there is a high risk of depression in postpartum women with nearly half of the women in the study testing positive for depression symptoms. The study also found that there were signs of prenatal depression and anxiety. This study will allow me to question the mental weaknesses women face after pregnancy during deployment. It will also allow me question whether women can handle such stress during combat. Saija A. Kontulainen, et al. "Forearm Muscle Size, Strength, Force, And Power In Relation To Pqct-Derived Bone Strength At The Radius In Adults." Applied Physiology, Nutrition & Metabolism 36.5 (2011): 618-625. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Mar. 2013. In this study, Kontulainen observes the differences in muscle size and bone strength between men and women. The study found that women have significantly less muscle and bone mass than men. The study also found that women are at a higher risk of bone fractures than men, especially as they age. I will use this study to argue that extra risk of injury women face is too high to allow women in combat positions. I will also argue that women will be unable to support the weight of their combat bags, passing the burden to their more capable male partners. Moss 5 Sally Haskell, et al. "Pregnancy And Mental Health Among Women Veterans Returning From Iraq And Afghanistan." Journal Of Women 's Health (15409996) 19.12 (2010): 21592166. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. In this study, Haskell observes the higher risk for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder women veterans faced when returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. The study determined that women who became pregnant during or immediately after deployment had higher percentages of PTSD. The study also found that there was a very high percentage of abortion in women who were deployed. I will use this study to illustrate that women might not be able to handle the stresses of pregnancy in addition to the stresses of combat. This will add to my argument that women are mentally too weak to serve in combat. Trego, Lori L. "Military Women’s Menstrual Experiences And Interest In Menstrual Suppression During Deployment." JOGNN: Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing 36.4 (2007): 342-347. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. In this study, Trego observes women’s menstrual experiences and their knowledge of menstrual suppression during deployment. The study determines that menstruation is an inconvenience during deployment and there are many challenges during menstruation such as heat, dirt, and port-a-potties. The study focuses on the need for menstrual suppression for the time women are deployed. I will use this study to once again emphasize the heavy challenges women must face during deployment. I will also question the cost effectiveness of issuing menstrual suppression drugs to female soldiers during their time of deployment and the health risk associated with those drugs. Moss 6 Trego, Lori Lyn. "Advanced Practice Nursing Intervention: Improving Women 's Health In The Combat Zone." JOGNN: Journal Of Obstetric, Gynecologic & Neonatal Nursing 40.(2011): S91-S92. Health Source: Nursing/Academic Edition. Web. 12 Feb. 2013. In this study, Trego looks at several studies that focus on the challenges women go through after pregnancy. The studies identify the stress of postpartum weight loss in female soldiers who recently were pregnant before being deployed. The studies also identify the need for those female soldiers to balance their weight loss to the goals and responsibilities they must meet as required by their jobs. This investigation will allow me to point out the potential additional challenges women face during deployment. I will also be able to show the potential for the loss of focus women might face in combat, which could result in injury or death to themselves and others. Wardell, Diane Wind, and Barbara Czerwinski. "A Military Challenge To Managing Feminine And Personal Hygiene." Journal Of The American Academy Of Nurse Practitioners 13.4 (2001): 187. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Feb. 2013. In this study, Wardell and Czerwinski interviews several deployed military women. They learn of all the struggles women soldiers must go through while being deployed in unfamiliar areas where there isn’t that much time to take care of themselves. They also learn of the increase of favorable conditions for female infections. This study will be advantageous to my research project because it illustrates the extra care that women require when being deployed in a war zone. This study will also allow me to illustrate the higher risk of harm women are placed in, compared to men who have no hygienic needs.