by Bob Simon

Florida, Tampa – The debate continues among women who agree with the actual Selective Service Act that selects men only through the military draft and those who request the inclusion of women.

During an interview on May 09, 2023, Dr. Linda Tavernier, Professor at University of South Florida, claimed that men and women are created equal, and the U.S. Constitution reinforces that equality.

“Anything that gives priority to one group over another is unconstitutional. Equality in this context must prevail,” Tavernier said.

For her, equality comes first from any other fact or argument. Because “that’s America,” Tavernier claimed.

Hopefully, those who share Tavernier’s point of view expect the ultimate change: an amendment to the Selective Service Act. By the way, this change is only possible if U.S. Congress amends the actual Selective Service Act to allow the system to draft men as well as women, in accordance with the U.S. Constitution.

The Selective Service System, established in 1917, is an independent agency of the United States government. It came into existence on May 18, 1917, when U.S. Congress voted the Selective Service Act.

The act declared, “It shall be the duty of every male citizen of the United States, and every other male person residing in the United States, who, on the day or days fixed for the first or any subsequent registration, is between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, to present himself for and submit to registration at such time or times and place or places, and in such manner, as shall be determined by proclamation of the President and by rules and regulations prescribed hereunder.”

Following Tavernier’s arguments, women are divided on the subject their right to get drafted as men. Still, all of them think they are equal to men. She states, “I may not want to go to war, but I should have the right legally to do so.”

Professor Tavernier explains that the women’s request is legal and fair. “Selective Service must draft women and men. There are many countries where men and women fight together on the frontline,” said Tavernier, who also underlines that the United States has a very patriotic mentality. So, “making it legal is something, but making it work is another thing,” Tavernier concluded.

Elisabeth Brothers, a former Amazon employee, thinks the Selective Service should continue drafting only men.  She said, “The U.S. Congress must not amend the Selective Service Act because congress members know women could better help children instead of being on the battlefield.” For her, regarding those women who think that drafting men only is inequality, they should know that equality is not absolute.

However, Brothers agrees that if some women want to fight aside men, they should be allowed to do it. Nevertheless, “we don’t need an amendment for that,” Brothers presumed.