Gender norming
Encyclopedia
Gender norming is the practice of judging female military applicants or recruits, or female employees or job applicants in the civilian workforce, by less stringent standards than their male counterparts. This is sometimes seen as a useful and effective affirmative action
policy, to increase the proportion of women in male-dominated professions, particular the US military's officer corps. Physical standards are lowered, taking into account the lesser (average) upper-body strength of women, and "fitness" in particular is determined in relation to the average woman, hence the term "norm" referring to the average woman.
The US military has adopted gender norming at West Point, calling it a system of "equivalent training". This has the objective of ensuring that positions are filled with a gender-balanced mix, and requires that women are given less physically challenging tests than men to attain the same fitness rating.
Elaine Donnelly argues that reducing requirements in terms of female recruits' ability to handle physically demanding tasks may reduce the effectiveness of the whole unit, and stated that "... there are separate gender-specific standards for the throwing of hand-grenades
, primarily because comprehensive tests at Parris Island in 1987 and 1990 found that 45% of female Marines could not throw a live grenade safely beyond the 15 meter bursting radius". Another opponent of gender norming, economist Walter E. Williams
, states that "[o]fficers who insist that females be held accountable to the same high standards as males are seen by higher brass as obstructionist and risk their careers".
Affirmative action
Affirmative action refers to policies that take factors including "race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation or national origin" into consideration in order to benefit an underrepresented group, usually as a means to counter the effects of a history of discrimination.-Origins:The term...
policy, to increase the proportion of women in male-dominated professions, particular the US military's officer corps. Physical standards are lowered, taking into account the lesser (average) upper-body strength of women, and "fitness" in particular is determined in relation to the average woman, hence the term "norm" referring to the average woman.
The US military has adopted gender norming at West Point, calling it a system of "equivalent training". This has the objective of ensuring that positions are filled with a gender-balanced mix, and requires that women are given less physically challenging tests than men to attain the same fitness rating.
Elaine Donnelly argues that reducing requirements in terms of female recruits' ability to handle physically demanding tasks may reduce the effectiveness of the whole unit, and stated that "... there are separate gender-specific standards for the throwing of hand-grenades
Hand grenade
A hand grenade is any small bomb that can be thrown by hand. Hand grenades are classified into three categories, explosive grenades, chemical and gas grenades. Explosive grenades are the most commonly used in modern warfare, and are designed to detonate after impact or after a set amount of time...
, primarily because comprehensive tests at Parris Island in 1987 and 1990 found that 45% of female Marines could not throw a live grenade safely beyond the 15 meter bursting radius". Another opponent of gender norming, economist Walter E. Williams
Walter E. Williams
Walter E. Williams, is an American economist, commentator, and academic. He is the John M. Olin Distinguished Professor of Economics at George Mason University, as well as a syndicated columnist and author known for his libertarian views.- Early life and education :Williams family during childhood...
, states that "[o]fficers who insist that females be held accountable to the same high standards as males are seen by higher brass as obstructionist and risk their careers".