The issue of whether single parents should be allowed to join military is highly controversial. Most people believe that single parents should not be allowed to enroll in the military. People who support this position point out the effect of this move on the family and the risks characterizing it. They argue that single parents should not be allowed to join military since this would weaken the family institution. Following this view, military schools have mainly failed to recruit single parents (Snyder and Candice 58). However, it is apparent that this practice is discriminative, and most of the theories posed by people who support this position are misinformed and irrational. In reference to my experience while serving in the military, I belief single parents should be allowed to serve in the military.
Denying single parents a chance of joining the military is a tormenting undertaking. This practice hinders realization and exercise of one’s talents. It is indisputable that some individuals have high passion and are highly talented to work in the military. Adopting a policy that restricts some individuals from pursuing their dream careers due to their marital status is oppressive (Bodenhamer 34). Furthermore, such a move discourages development since people lack a chance of exercise their talents that would have been of high economic value. My life and effort in joining military provides evidence of the harmful consequences of denying single parents a chance of joining military. Following my strong desire of enrolling in a military school, I was willing to do anything to secure the opportunity. I felt that my life would never be complete if I failed to work in the military. My big dream was to join military in order to follow the footsteps of my dad and uncle who I had seen establish a successful career and life in military. I knew that the military job was challenging, but I strongly felt imagined that my life was destined to this career. In this context, denying me a chance of joining military meant denying me a life. I am happy that eventually I was successful in joining military, although through unjust means.
In my pursuit for a chance of joining the military, I falsely pretended to be married to someone to ensure that I was not classified as a “single parent.” I had to assume this corrupt practice since I knew that being classified as a single parent would have denied me a chance pursuing my dream. I am pleased to learn how successful my life has been after joining the military. It is in this reference, that I strongly belief that single parents should be allowed to join military. This would eliminate the agony that individuals who have a desire of joining military experience when denied a chance of enrolling in the military school, as they perceive their dreams to have been shattered. It is worthwhile noting that persons with the passion of working in military may result being of less importance to the society when denied a chance of pursuing their career because as they lack interest of venturing in other careers.
Some of the concerns raised against the idea of allowing single parents join military are rational; however, assuming such a move is discriminative. Procedures that appear discriminative may attract severe social-economic issues especially in the modern society in which ideas of impartially and equality are highly relevant. For example, the modern society demands institutions to observe impartially by ensuring that they are not discriminating against any gender or individuals of particular sub-group when selecting candidates for filling various positions (Jain, Frank and Peter 60). I belief that denying single parent a chance of joining military in argument that the move affects one’s capability of raising his or her children contradicts this provision. Single parents have a right of seeking employment in areas of their wish just like other citizens. Britt, Thomas, Amy and Carl (79) assert that denying single parents an opportunity of joining the military is a distressing move, which is insensitive on the plight of single parents. This is because the approach works towards reducing employment opportunities for the single parents who are in desperate need of empowerment to be able to raise their families.
The idea of refusing individuals join military in basis of their social status is unjust since individuals should have a free will to make their choice especially on matters that include their life (Bodenhamer 29). Individuals already understand the challenges and the consequences of joining military especially when one is raising a single parent family; thus, if they wish to go ahead and take up the challenge, they should not be restricted. From one perspective, an argument that a single parent who is working in the military may fail to offer adequate parenting to his or her children is justified. However, this is always not the case, since one can organize him or herself and take up both the family and military career roles accordingly. I hold this belief because I have successfully served in the military and managed to raise a family. Rethinking about the issue of single parents in the military is of great significance considering the controversial nature of this idea. I belief that society should adopt an accommodative attitude to allow willing single parents join military.
Work Cited
Bodenhamer, David J. Our Rights. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2006. Print.
Britt, Thomas W, Amy B. Adler, and Carl A. Castro. Military Life: The Psychology of Serving in Peace and Combat. Westport, Conn: Praeger Security International, 2005. Print.
Jain, Harish C, Frank M. Horwitz, and Peter J. Sloane. Employment Equity and Affirmative Action: An International Comparison. Armonk, N.Y: M.E. Sharpe, 2003. Print.
Snyder, Douglas K, and Candice M. Monson. Couple-based Interventions for Military and Veteran Families: A Practitioner's Guide. New York: Guilford Press, 2012. Print.
