Women in combat—historical quirk or the future cutting edge?

Abstract

In this essay, the author looks at how and why the role of women in society and the military has developed. The fundamental nature of our aggressive instincts is reviewed as a prelude to discussion of the development of today's patriarchal society. Having given a brief history of women in the military, the author moves on to describe the rapid pace of change now encountered in the West, before providing, finally, a positive suggestion as to the future employ‐ment of women in the British military.