Gender and the propensity to enlist in the U.S. military

This article analyzes sex differences in high school seniors' propensity to enlist in the military, differences between military preferences and expectations, sex differences in the relationship between propensity and actual service, effects of background and educational characteristics, and post-high school activities of men and women who do not serve. Using data from the Monitoring the Future surveys, we find that young women's propensity to serve is lower than men's, but more women desire than expect to serve. The relationship between propensity and service is weaker for women than men and has not increased over time. Background characteristics and educational achievement and plans are less predictive of women's propensity and enlistment than men's, with the exception of higher race and ethnicity effects among women. Having children has a small negative effect on high propensity women's enlistment, but an even stronger positive effect on low propensity men's enlistment. More women desire and expect to serve than the military is enlisting. Mady Wechsler Segal is Professor of Sociology and Distinguished Scholar-Teacher at the University of Maryland, as well as a faculty affiliate of the Women's Studies Program and Associate Director of the Center for Research on Military Organization. Her recent research focuses on military personnel issues, with particular attention to military women and military families. His current research focuses on enlistment propensity, diversity in military forces, and peacekeeping operations. His most recent book is Smoking, Drinking, and Drug Use in Young Adulthood: The Impacts He has co-authored, with David R. Segal and Jeral G. Bachman, several forthcoming articles on military propensity and enlistment. His publications deal with alcohol, tobacco, and illicit drug use and related attitudes and beliefs.