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No Women’s Land: Australian Women Veterans’ Experiences of the Culture of Military Service and Transition

Author

Listed:
  • Sharon Lawn

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Lived Experience Australia, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • Elaine Waddell

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • Louise Roberts

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • Pilar Rioseco

    (Australian Institute of Family Studies, Melbourne, VIC 3006, Australia)

  • Tiffany Beks

    (Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    School of Education, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 1N4, Canada)

  • Tiffany Sharp

    (Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Cambrian Executive, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Liz McNeill

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • David Everitt

    (Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Defence Force Welfare Association SA, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Lee Bowes

    (Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Defence Force Welfare Association SA, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Dylan Mordaunt

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Southern Adelaide Local Health Network, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

  • Amanda Tarrant

    (Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Veterans SA, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia)

  • Miranda Van Hooff

    (Military and Services Health Australia (MESHA), Adelaide, SA 5011, Australia)

  • Jonathan Lane

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7005, Australia)

  • Ben Wadham

    (Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia
    Open Door Initiative, Flinders University, Adelaide, SA 5042, Australia)

Abstract

Women’s experiences of military service and transition occur within a highly dominant masculinized culture. The vast majority of research on military veterans reflects men’s experiences and needs. Women veterans’ experiences, and therefore their transition support needs, are largely invisible. This study sought to understand the role and impact of gender in the context of the dominant masculinized culture on women veterans’ experiences of military service and transition to civilian life. In-depth qualitative interviews with 22 Australian women veterans elicited four themes: (1) Fitting in a managing identity with the military; (2) Gender-based challenges in conforming to a masculinized culture—proving worthiness, assimilation, and survival strategies within that culture; (3) Women are valued less than men—consequences for women veterans, including misogyny, sexual harassment and assault, and system failures to recognize women’s specific health needs and role as mothers; and (4) Separation and transition: being invisible as a woman veteran in the civilian world. Gendered military experiences can have long-term negative impacts on women veterans’ mental and physical health, relationships, and identity due to a pervasive masculinized culture in which they remain largely invisible. This can create significant gender-based barriers to services and support for women veterans during their service, and it can also impede their transition support needs.

Suggested Citation

  • Sharon Lawn & Elaine Waddell & Louise Roberts & Pilar Rioseco & Tiffany Beks & Tiffany Sharp & Liz McNeill & David Everitt & Lee Bowes & Dylan Mordaunt & Amanda Tarrant & Miranda Van Hooff & Jonathan , 2024. "No Women’s Land: Australian Women Veterans’ Experiences of the Culture of Military Service and Transition," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(4), pages 1-25, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:4:p:479-:d:1376029
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Ben Wadham & James Connor, 2023. "Commanding men, governing masculinities: Military institutional abuse and organizational reform in the Australian armed forces," Gender, Work and Organization, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(5), pages 1533-1551, September.
    2. Karen A. Lawrence & Dawne Vogt & Adam J. Dugan & Shawn Nigam & Emily Slade & Brian N. Smith, 2021. "Mental Health and Psychosocial Functioning in Recently Separated U.S. Women Veterans: Trajectories and Bi-Directional Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-15, January.
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