"Ma'am, yes Ma'am": gender relations and institutional change in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment

Kitchen, Brenda Lee (2003) "Ma'am, yes Ma'am": gender relations and institutional change in the Royal Newfoundland Regiment. Masters thesis, Memorial University of Newfoundland.

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Abstract

In 1989, Canadian Forces leadership granted authorization for women to enter all trades of the military. This study examines gender integration and the consequences and experiences of women who choose to enter one particular reserve unit: The Royal Newfoundland Regiment (RNR). This is a qualitative analysis of the experiences of nine men and nine women, who are former or current members of this unit. The research takes a grounded theory approach to sociological investigation. This generates concepts and categories that help explain the particular social actions of members of The RNR during the research itself that will be elaborated on later in the thesis. First, I provide a background on the military, specifically the reserve unit, The RNR. A personal experience with the Canadian Forces as a reserve officer in the Cadet Instructors Cadre and my academic curiosity forged the current research and helped develop the research question. This leads to an examination of current literature. Afterwards, the data are introduced. Several themes become prominent and evoke discussion, such as: the terminology of the institution, the military entrance requirements, how menstruation has become a territory of confusion, and the attitudes of the 'old boys' network that continue to linger. Another theme is the manifestation of a distinct type of masculinity, the use of put-downs and the threat of sexual and physical harassment. The discussion then turns to the tools in place for women in the military to deal with this environment. Several recommendations are made to improve training for the reserve unit and for further research.

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