Women discovered as soldiers were usually accused of being romantically motivated. Why do you think this was? Has this changed in society and/ or the military today?

Emily enlisted so she could be with her brother as well as for the adventure. Willie enlisted as a means of financial support. Neither were sexually or romantically motivated, yet women discovered in Union or Confederate ranks were usually accused of such. Why do you think this was? Has this changed in society and/ or the military today?

Women were denied freedom of choice because men of that generation could not fathom anything beyond a woman desiring romance and a family. The men and many wanted to keep it that way. They still do. Cultural dictates have long captured women in a little box that did not include concepts beyond the home. Although I do not think the desire for romance is used as a way to identify why women might want to join the military or go to war, I do believe sex is still used as a way to confine women or punish them. I mean sex, not gender. Many women in the military are victims of sexual assault, more as a statement of power by the attacker than actual sexual desire.

The culture of the time did not admit to women desiring anything other than a home and a family. This view was, not surprisingly, chiefly constructed and perpetrated by men.

I think men had a hard time acknowledging the fact that females are very capable and equal to males in their abilities. Women are very capable as leaders and are able to handle crisis situations.

During the time of the Civil War, women were expected to desire marriage and children. So many men (and women) thought a woman didn't have the strength or mental capability to do anything but be wives, bear children and keep the house, the garden, the laundry, etc. Things have changed, but we still have a way to go.

I have to agree with all the excellent comments here. The stereotype of women having a very limited range of interests back then was so deeply ingrained in the male population, that it's easy to see why romance would be their first assumption.

Come on...it was men accusing them, right? Today's military is a totally different ball game. There are many opportunities for women but it's still not perfect. There is a lot of political bull**** going on and that will never cease to exist.

Women were never thought of being capable of thinking for themselves much less being strong of character!

Men were dense! They felt that a woman's duty was in the home as a wife and mother - period! And they expected her to be happy with that and only that! Should she veer out of that mold, there was something wrong with her. Men could not accept the fact that a woman could be civically motivated, nor did they see the freedom that a woman might gain by disguising herself as a man, even if that meant putting her life in danger. Their small minds could only relate her disguise as being romantically motivated.

THANKFULLY that outdated attitude has changed. Although we still hear of women in the military being bullied and abused today, we as a general public are now more accepting of a woman's choice of career and obligation.

Ah the importance of being a male then and now. Fragile egos need to be nurtured. Men are here to protect women right? Why would a woman choose to fight?
Ok not everyone is like that and I agree that things are changing. SLOWLY. From what I have gleaned from reports of women soldiers trying to present a case of abuse it hasn’t gone well. The person that she is reporting to maybe the accused or buddies with him. It is definitely a challenging world. Books like this are what we need to open minds and hearts.

Ah the importance of being a male then and now. Fragile egos need to be nurtured. Men are here to protect women right? Why would a woman choose to fight?
Ok not everyone is like that and I agree that things are changing. SLOWLY. From what I have gleaned from reports of women soldiers trying to present a case of abuse it hasn’t gone well. The person that she is reporting to maybe the accused or buddies with him. It is definitely a challenging world. Books like this are what we need to open minds and hearts.