Men Make War, War Makes Men

Last week in my comparative literature class we were given the quote titled above as a reflection assignment. The class deals with gender identity, more specifically militarism and masculinity. Words just flowed onto paper and at the end of it I was quite surprised by the thoughts that unraveled. In no way is this blurb aimed at taking away the gratitude that we owe the people defending our country every day, nor is it anti-American. Just a different, more obscure look into a pretty captivating statement. It went like this:
*complete unaltered version from class

When I heard this quote, it raised expected thoughts but also a few unexpected. My mind automatically broke the quote down into the two pieces, “men make war” and “war makes men”. The first of the two brings re-opens a lot of thoughts I have always had about America and its agenda for war. The quote that has always reflected my opinion most accurately is that “we are a country of many, run by few” (anonymous). I feel we as Americans have our eyes closed a bit when it comes to wars of the past and their roots. From the sinking of the Lusitania for entrance into WWI to September 11^th granting support for the War for Oil, whoops “War on Terror” (my apologies) we have allowed men to make war, manipulate war actually. I would like to note that I am no anarchist, radical extremist, or whacked out conspiracy theorist nor am I not prideful of America. I just feel that we as a whole do not always look at the bigger picture. This is why I have a bit of an issue with the latter part of the quote I am exploring. Let me start by saying that I am very proud of each and every member of the armed services for putting their life on the line in the name of our country. I just struggle to see these young boys heading into such a hell that the battlefield is. Does it make men? Sure, in some aspects I do believe it matures soldiers into men. It teaches them strength and trust through the bonds between each other. It makes them face difficult situations, life and death oftentimes. My issue is that while it may make them more “manly”, it does not mean they are the healthiest men. War can, and is, oftentimes both mentally and physically damaging. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is commonplace among returning soldiers. War can change the way a person thinks about life and can ruin usual lifestyle and ties with family and friends. I cannot agree in full confidence that war makes men. It may toughen a guy up or help him fill the manly stereotype but I do not believe that it makes a man. What I do believe wholly is that men make war, and others are exploited due to it.

RD