Military Family Challenges |
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Military families experience unique stressors and situations that non-military families typically do not face. What’s more is that these stressors often recur and sometimes within expected or unexpected timeframes. The military is distinctive in that it is considered a greedy institution (Coleman, 2003). This means that there are high demands for time and exclusive loyalty from its members. Likewise, families are a greedy institution so when military men and women have families there is a constant tug of war at play.
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Historically speaking the military was comprised of mostly young single men. Today’s military is very different with the majority of its members still being men (84.9% in 2014), however just over half (55.3% in 2014) of active duty military members are reported to be married and 37.5% have children. This is an extremely large portion of the military that are participating in that metaphorical tug of war between their career choice and their family.
Some common issues that military families frequently face:
Relocation
It is not uncommon for military families to be told that they will be moving duty stations quite frequently.
It is not uncommon for military families to be told that they will be moving duty stations quite frequently.
Deployment
This is sometimes a cyclical occurrence where a family member is sent to a war zone as part of their duty. It can sometimes occur with little warning making it more traumatic.
This is sometimes a cyclical occurrence where a family member is sent to a war zone as part of their duty. It can sometimes occur with little warning making it more traumatic.
Reunion
After deployment or separation there is a reunion period where the family must readjust to life with the member who was gone.
After deployment or separation there is a reunion period where the family must readjust to life with the member who was gone.
Family Separation
Whether it is due to deployment or training it is still a stressful situation.
Whether it is due to deployment or training it is still a stressful situation.
Demanding Job
Military men and women are taking part daily in a high stress job. Often this includes extremely long hours that are coupled with physical and mental strain.
Military men and women are taking part daily in a high stress job. Often this includes extremely long hours that are coupled with physical and mental strain.
Injury or Illness
After deployments military members can come home with a plethora of injuries or illnesses, some of them invisible to the casual observer. Often the service member may not even realize their invisible injury until a family member points it out. It causes an extreme amount of stress and has a lasting impact if not treated effectively.
After deployments military members can come home with a plethora of injuries or illnesses, some of them invisible to the casual observer. Often the service member may not even realize their invisible injury until a family member points it out. It causes an extreme amount of stress and has a lasting impact if not treated effectively.
Death
The actual death or stress of threatened death (when a soldier is deployed to a dangerous war zone) is arguably the most stressful and traumatic component of military family life.
The actual death or stress of threatened death (when a soldier is deployed to a dangerous war zone) is arguably the most stressful and traumatic component of military family life.
Along with all of these unique issues military families are still experiencing the same stressors as non-military families. Family illnesses, financial strain, the stress of raising children and working are usual stressors for families but military families combine these with other stressors that are unique to their situation.
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