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Originally Posted by Aramike
I don't see how that is anti-progress. Sure, women would probably make submariners equal to men. I wouldn't say superior, but I'll say equal.
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In fact, I'll even go so far as to say that they'll average inferior in one index, Strength. Ever the big one. Most of the differences between male and female (such as the supposed greater spatial ability of men vs the greater communicative average of women) is in the fuzz range insofar as it exists, but the strength average thing is undeniable...
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That being said, what then is the point? Todays subs are designed without regard to gender, and such an approach has served us extraordinarily well over the years. Submarines are, by nature, not a private place to live and work. Now with the inclusion of mixed-gender crews, some manner of privacy will have to be obtained.
To me that seems like a downgrade. It is certainly not progress.
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A hundred years (or was it 200?) ago, a hammock was considered adequate accomodation. Now, people actually demand beds, locker space, air conditioning ... etc, as in comfort. They also demand shore time, family time ... etc. Is that a "downgrade"?
Frankly, after men get over their macho "We are tough" thing, they'll probably figure that maybe the improvement in privacy is no bad thing for themselves too.
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Our fighting forces don't exist to give people jobs or opportunities. Sure, opportunity naturally comes with the territory, but that's not the point. The purpose is the mission, and that supercedes any idea of equal-opportunity.
What's next? Making sure that boats have handicap access?
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If handicapped people are roughly 50% of the population, and you are not exactly overmanned, and you want the most suitable in the population and the handicaps aren't too directly relevant to the job ... well, one might want to consider it...
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Frankly, I'd find it interesting to have an all-woman crewed boat, however.
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Well, if you ever want that see that interest happen, there will have to be a transition period where women work with men. Otherwise, inexperience in a role that men have locked them out of for decades will kill the program before anyone can see whether it'll work.