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Soldier

Military Patriarchal Culture . The greater military institution remains highly discriminatory toward women. The discrimination is highly intricate, extensive, institutionalized, and entrenched.Combat zones and coping mechanisms: Emotional numbing vs. emotional availability.Issues of taking life:

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Soldier

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    1. Soldier/Mom: Emotional Connections and Challenges of Women in Combat Connie Wilkes, M.Ed., LMHC Readjustment & Military Sexual Trauma Therapist Phoenix Vet Center April 30 and May 1, 2011

    2. Military Patriarchal Culture The greater military institution remains highly discriminatory toward women. The discrimination is highly intricate, extensive, institutionalized, and entrenched. Combat zones and coping mechanisms: Emotional numbing vs. emotional availability. Issues of taking life: Inoculation of training vs. no training Isolation of Women in Combat Zones, Working to fit the male dominated culture Pressure to be less feminine: Attitudes toward women who try to maintain femininity

    3. Military Patriarchal Culture Pressure by male unit members to side with the prevalent male culture in dismissing sexual harassment and assaults. Undermining of cohesion/trust between female military members. Being deployed within cultures that do not respect women. Stigma in the military for reaching out for help. This is increased for women in the decision for reaching out to address physical and mental health issues, including MST & harassment.

    4. What Do I Say to Those I Love? Ability to ‘real time’ communication between those in theater and those at home. Confusion resulting from this split functioning. Shutting down as a warrior and opening up to those at home. Men are likely to be supported as parents. Women are likely to be seen as detracting from the mission.

    5. Can I Be Scared of My Kids? Gender Expectations regarding child care. Women appear to have more guilt about leaving children. “Numbing out” and compartmentalizing. Military Women are more likely to be single parents and feel a greater burden of care for family members. Expectations of “Superwoman”.

    6. Issues with Coming Home Returning from emotional disconnection to sudden immersion in the busy and demanding household. The normalcy of having difficulty reconnecting with maternal feelings and roles. Feeling “let down” from the fast-paced environment of the overseas environment.

    7. Deployment and Reunion: Danny Kamer

    8. Considering Kids Developmental Stages Issues of Discipline Acting out Anger and Withdrawal Kids and Moms Fears of Reconnecting

    9. Who Are You Now? Changed views of self, others, and the world. Feeling out of place and lack of common views with civilian friends and family members. Feeling out of control and overwhelmed.

    10. Who Are You Now? Issues of depression, anxiety, hypervigilance, and Post Traumatic Stress. Unhealthy coping mechanisms. Employment Challenges. Going Forward…

    11. Vet Centers Can Help… Chinle 928-674-3682 Hopi Outstation 928-738-5166 Prescott 928-778-3469 Lake Havasu 928-499-5083 Phoenix 602-640-2981 Mesa 480-610-6727 West Phoenix 623-398-8854 Tucson 520-882-0333 Yuma 928-726-1349

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