Introduction
Leaders in the military assess and develop a strong ethical climate in their organizations by using “evidence-based developmental programs on individual character and moral development” and by using “empirically validated research instruments to assess ethical climates,” as Allen (2015) notes. One important ethical issue currently facing the Army is the problem of sexual harassment. This paper will illustrate the root cause of sexual harassment, its impact on the force, and present a solution for addressing the root cause.
What is at the Root of Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment stems from an inappropriate regard for opposite sex. It can be demonstrated by both men and women, though it is more common for it to be shown by men towards women (Gore, Williams & Ghosh-Dastidar, 2015). However, now that women share a more prominent role in the military alongside men, the problem of sexual harassment has increased, and Bennett (2017) points out that “poor impulse control is, in part, at the root of sexual assault offenses” (p. 707). Impulse control is an essential element of what it means to be a good soldier—and without it, a soldier is prone to the slightest whims and deviant inspirations that may blow his or her way.
A soldier is trained in combat to defend against or attack an enemy. There is more than one enemy, however: the soldier has to learn both about the enemies in the field and the enemies of the mind and spirit that can kill from within by corrupting the drive, the commitment and the integrity of the soldier and his unit. When sexual harassment becomes a problem in the military, it indicates that the military has lost its sense of honor, integrity, duty, and discipline. Impulse control is not something that one develops automatically the way one simply knows how to breathe or eat. Impulse control is gained through hard work and perseverance.
The Impact of Sexual Harassment on the Force
Since impulse control as at the root of sexual harassment, the problem is not an issue that is limited or isolated in terms of ramifications. In other words, it is not an issue that only affects the victim of sexual harassment. If a soldier has such poor impulse control that he or she cannot prevent him or herself from making unwanted comments or advances on another,...
References
Allen, C. D. (2015). Ethics and army leadership: climate matters. Parameters, 45(1), 69.
Bennett, J. (2018). Combating Sexual Assault With the Military Ethic: Exploring Culture, Military Institutions, and Norms-Based Preventive Policy. Armed Forces & Society, 44(4), 707-730.
Gore, K. L., Williams, K. M., & Ghosh-Dastidar, B. (2015). Beliefs about sexual assault and sexual harassment: Prevalence, prevention, and progress. AR Morral.
Stimson, C. (2013). Sexual Assault in the Military: Understanding the Problem and How to Fix It. Retrieved from https://www.heritage.org/defense/report/sexual-assault-the-military-understanding-the-problem-and-how-fix-i
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