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The Draft: Rest Easy, Your Daughters Are Safe
If the term “Selective Service System” doesn’t sound familiar, you might be a woman—or a parent of daughters. For American boys and young men, however, “Selective Service” translates to “the draft,” and yes, they still need to sign up for it.
As a woman, I shouldn’t be too concerned about the draft, but I have three sons who will soon turn 18. The thought of them losing their choice in this matter keeps me awake at night, despite the fact that both my father and husband chose to serve.
Here’s the kicker: the topic of Selective Service hardly gets any airtime. Most folks are completely unaware it even exists. So, let’s break it down.
The History of the Draft
The draft was officially terminated in January 1973, but during the Cold War, President Jimmy Carter brought back Selective Service registration for all American males aged 18 to 25. Boys are legally required to register within 30 days of turning 18, ensuring the government knows where they are in case a draft is ever reinstated. Failing to register could lead to a five-year prison sentence or a hefty fine of $250,000.
That’s right; your son—and even you, if you help him avoid this obligation—could end up behind bars if he doesn’t register with Selective Service promptly. Plus, if he’s not registered, he won’t be eligible for government jobs or financial aid for college.
Gender Disparities in Registration
If you’re baffled about how this can happen in the U.S., you’re not alone. President Ronald Reagan opposed Selective Service, famously stating in a 1979 debate that the law assumes “your kids belong to the state,” a notion he found distasteful. However, only boys are subject to this rule. Even though women have fought for the right to serve in combat roles, they are not required to register for Selective Service.
I can’t help but imagine government officials breathing a sigh of relief that Selective Service doesn’t attract much attention. If it did, people would surely be alarmed by the outdated language on their website, which features phrases like, “Registration: It’s What a Man’s Got to Do.”
The site also tiptoes around the fact that women aren’t required to register, while making it clear about transgender individuals: if you were assigned female at birth and later transitioned to male, you don’t need to register. But if you were born male and transitioned to female, you do.
Family Considerations
And what about families with only one son? The Selective Service has an answer for that too: “Only sons,” “the last to carry the family name,” and “sole surviving sons” must still register and can be drafted.
Don’t fret, your daughters are still safe. They have the freedom to choose whether to serve. In fact, even if your son has a disability, he must register, while healthy daughters do not.
Questions of Equality
So how does this law exist? The Selective Service claims that by registering all eligible men, they can ensure a fair draft if needed. But aren’t girls eligible now too, since they can serve in all military positions?
Some argue that women shouldn’t register because society needs them home to procreate, while others say not every woman wants to serve. But couldn’t those arguments apply to men as well? Is it fair to selectively apply equality?
By chance, I have all boys. As they approach adulthood, I’m faced with the reality that the government can legally compel my sons into military service—and potentially into harm’s way—while my friends with daughters can rest easy knowing their girls aren’t subject to the same fate.
If we truly believe women can do anything men can do, it’s high time we consider having them register too. If we’re not prepared to include women, then the Selective Service system can never truly be “fair and equitable.”
This article originally appeared on BDN Maine Living.
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In summary, while the draft is a reality for young men, it raises important questions about equality and fairness in our society. If we believe in equal rights, we should reconsider the current laws regarding Selective Service registration.