Australian School Student Aspirations for Military Careers
Title | Australian School Student Aspirations for Military Careers |
Publication Type | Journal Article |
Year of Publication | 2017 |
Authors | Gore, Jennifer, Leanne Fray, Claire Wallington, Kathryn Holmes, and Max Smith |
Journal | Armed Forces & Society |
Volume | 43 |
Issue | 2 (Special Issue: Women in the Military) |
Pagination | 239 - 259 |
Date Published | 12/2016 |
Abstract | Modern military organizations are making a concerted effort to recruit a more diverse range of people, with the role of women in the military at the forefront of debate. In Australia, in response to the changing role of the military and with the aim of positioning the military as an “employer of choice” for women, females are targeted as early as high school. Using data from a study of 6,492 Australian school students in years 3–12, this article examines student aspirations for military careers. Key reasons for student interest included dominant notions of masculinity, familial military experience, career options, and enlistment benefits. The authors argue that current views of the military among school children signal the need to shift such perceptions to appeal to a wider range of people and attract a more diverse workforce. |
URL | https://doi.org/10.1177/0095327X16682046 |