eThe topic of the draft has always been met with mixed emotions. For some, the draft is terrible; only people willing to fight should have to fight, they should not be forced. For others, the draft is a wonderful construction to help ensure our country’s security. Yet, many are a culmination of both ideas: they think it is a necessary evil, as long as it does not happen to them or someone they love. However, these loved ones directly affected have always been exclusively male. In the past few years, questions have arose as to why that gender restriction is still in place? Why are men still the only gender required to register for the draft? If feminism is such an important social movement, why aren’t feminists pushing for total military equality as well? These questions lead to a bill passed in June of 2016. It stated that women had to register for the draft if they turn 18 on or before January 1, 2018. However, it was eventually reconstructed and the part mentioning this requirement was removed.

This timestamp, though, is why the issue has resurfaced in the past few months. I myself will turn 18 this coming February, so this bill would have affected me should it have succeeded. It also would have affected many of my close friends, one of whom said to me, when prompted about this issue, “There is no way I could ever actually fight in a war. I couldn’t kill people.”  That quote from my friend is the main basis for the bill’s counterargument: many women are too emotional and peaceful to want to be involved in such a violent event. Yet, our young men are forced to register for the draft, and many of them feel the exact same way! Now that women are allowed to serve in any military position, it does seem illogical that that are still unable to be drafted. Yet many conservatives feel like forcing America’s daughters to register against their will is cruel. But, for the sake of the devil’s argument, is that not what the men are being forced to do, too?

The draft has not actually been used since 1973 during the Vietnam War, so one would think that the legal issues concerning women and the draft are pretty useless anyways since it seems rare that it is ever going to be of use. However, with the rising tensions between the United States and North Korea, we may be closer to war and implementing the draft than many of us would really hope to be. That once again raises the question: should women be required to register for the draft? Why was the bill passed only to be changed later, with the removal of the section about women and the draft? Why are women and men still seen on different levels? As of right now, there are no “set in stone” answers to these questions. The controversy and debate has been ensuing for years now, and I suspect it will last for years to come.