Air University Review, May-June 1984
Major Mark M. Warner
Since the American wife first began to accept pay for work outside her home, she has been variously described. She's been compared with . . . Lizzie Borden, Florence Nightingale and Joan of Arc. She's been derided because she abdicated her traditional place in her home, applauded because she alternately toils in the halls of commerce and the walls of domesticity.
1AS THE world moves into the mid-1980s, the role of women in the family and home is undergoing significant changes. The women's liberation movement, an inflationary economy, and changing value systems are contributing factors in these changes. The Air Force community reflects these societal changes in a number of areas. For example, traditionally closed career fields, such as pilot utilization, are now open to women. More than twenty-five years ago Nancy Shea, in a book titled The Air Force Wife, concluded that military wives had three basic responsibilities: to create congenial homes, to rear quality families, and to strengthen their husbands' morale. And depending on the rank held by their husbands, they assumed additional responsibilities outside the home, such as setting good examples for airmen's wives, supporting Air Force activities, or promoting squadron morale and spirit. The idea was that wives had definite responsibilities in support of their husbands. If they fulfilled their "duties," they could claim half of every promotion, every success, and every medal earned by their husbands.2 In other words, the traditional role of Air Force wives was to follow and support their husbands and maintain happy homes.
The purpose of this discussion is to examine the changing role and perspectives of Air Force wives in the light of ongoing trends in American society. Are Air Force wives still oriented to their traditional roles, or have other pursuits become more important? What do they want? What are their points of view? Should they have a role? Should they be required or expected to participate in Air Force activities? What do they want from life? Does the Air Force complement or conflict with their personal lives, jobs, families, husbands, or sense of selves? A number of studies reveal that few people have bothered to ask Air Force wives for their opinions of themselves and the Air Force. A survey conducted by the author asked Air Force wives to describe their attitudes regarding social and recreational activities in the military, roles expected of them, and the impact of military policies on their personal lives.
The survey was conducted among wives of students and faculty members at the Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Squadron Officer School, Air Command and Staff College, and Air War College, and wives of noncommissioned officers serving in the Headquarters Squadron at Maxwell Air Force Base. Altogether, 242 surveys were returned from a total sample of 480, a return rate of approximately 50 percent. While the sample is fairly representative of the participating organizations, no attempt was made to draw inferences concerning groups of wives representing specific organizations or ranks.
The survey asked wives to indicate agreement or disagreement with a series of statements and gave them the option of including written comments. It also required specific responses to a number of open-ended questions. The results were broken down into percentages of total responses for four groups by rank: noncommissioned officer, lieutenant/captain, major, and lieutenant colonel/colonel; a combined tabulation showed average percentages for all groups. Percentages discussed here do not include neutral responses, such as "neither agree nor disagree." They reflect either positive responses, "strongly agree" and "agree," or negative responses, "disagree" and strongly disagree." Although percentages between ranks varied somewhat, this discussion reflects combined total percentages only. Three major divisions of the survey investigated wives' perceptions of Air Force activities, their roles, and their personal needs and desires.
Air Force activities were defined in the survey as wives' clubs, volunteer work, projects, fund raisers, coffees, command performances, or other activities requiring wives to give freely of their time. In response to the statement, "I enjoy participating in Air Force activities," two-thirds or 66.1 percent of the wives stated that they enjoy these events. They qualified this statement with such comments as "I enjoy participating when it fits me; only if I am not expected to participate; it depends on the activity and the base; or I only enjoy them sometimes." When asked about the worth of Air Force activities, two-thirds or 66.4 percent of the wives again agreed that they are worthwhile (5.1 percent disagreed), and only 40 percent agreed that current involvement in these activities is reasonable. Approximately 58 percent of the total group did not desire any more activities, and 12.9 percent desired more involvement. Approximately one-third or 33.9 percent of the wives felt that Air Force activities should be more meaningful and responsive to their needs and desires. They felt that involvement in activities should be strictly voluntary and that many activities are overly organized, "busy work," expensive, inefficient, time-consuming, and somewhat purposeless. They stated further that the Air Force was not responsible for entertaining them. Wives seeking more varied activities suggested increased emphasis on current Air Force issues, personal development, and informational groups.
More than 60 percent of the wives agree that they should not be expected to participate in Air Force activities. They felt that participation should be strictly voluntary but that support for husbands is also important. Thirty-seven percent felt pressured to participate, and 47 percent felt no pressure. Twenty-seven percent thought their husbands had been pressured to have them participate, and 55 percent had detected no pressure. Comments in this area centered around the idea that the amount of pressure depended on the personality of the commander and his wife's attitude, their bases of assignment, and the nature of particular activities. Increased rank brought increased pressure. Some felt more pressure 10 years ago than today, and still others felt pressured by a sense of duty. In response to the statement, "I believe it is necessary for me to participate in Air Force activities for my husband to be promoted," 62.9 percent disagreed, and 26.3 percent agreed. Again, many stated that the necessity to participate in activities to assist in promotion of their husbands increased with rank. Although most wives disagreed with the statement, they commented that participation is never detrimental and is generally helpful. Many wives thought that their husbands would be promoted regardless of their actions. In reflecting on the tone of Air Force activities, 35.7 percent of the wives felt that activities are not patronizing events, and 31.9 percent perceived that they are patronizing. The word dependent was viewed as irritating: many wives are not dependent, and some make more money than their husbands. More than two-thirds or 69.1 percent agreed that participation in other activities is more important to them than Air Force activities, and only 8.7 percent disagreed with the statement. The leading outside activity more important than all others is any event involving the family. Other more important activities are church, jobs, and school functions.
Wives were divided on two open-ended questions concerning Air Force activities. For example, the question, "Which Air Force activity do you like the most?" brought a variety of responses indicating the most significant preferences for volunteer work, ranging from Red Cross to thrift shop, and for activities involving the husband's squadron or immediate work area. Officers' wives club and small group get-togethers were also high on the list. Opportunities to meet new people, joint husband/wife functions, travel, dining outs, base open houses, youth programs, general socializing, and family activities were often mentioned. Interestingly, a similar number of wives reported that officers' wives clubs are high on their list of least liked activities. Other less desirable activities are cocktail parties, command performances, fund raisers, formal receptions, large gatherings, dining outs, and nonjoint husband/wife events.
The responses to questions and statements about Air Force activities seem to indicate that wives generally do not object to participating in these activities if they are voluntary, not expected, and freedom of choice is observed. Most wives feel that their participation in activities does not determine whether their husbands are promoted, but participation may be helpful, especially with increased rank. They stated that they need no more activities generated by the Air Force. Activities considered more important than Air Force activities centered around the family. The most liked activity was volunteer work, and the least liked was the officers' wives club. Apparently, some Air Force activities have more meaning and worth than others, and wives will continue to select activities that appeal to them as individuals.
The next major area of the survey dealt with the role of Air Force wives. The survey revealed strong negative reaction to the statement, "I think the 'traditional role' (wife is expected to follow and support the husband in his profession and not work outside the home) of the military wife is important and should be the model for the future" (75.7 percent disagreement and 12.4 percent agreement). Most wives felt that they could follow and support their husbands and still work outside the home, but others also agreed that the economy has forced many women to work outside the home to finance family needs and desires. Some felt that traditional roles in this respect would become more important with increased rank or that the pressure would at least increase. Still others mentioned that either the individual or the couple should establish its own guidelines but that mutual support was important in any event. Finally, the matter of individual identity and total acceptance of working wives has become an Air Force issue.
More than 87 percent of the women surveyed felt that roles of Air Force wives -are changing. The main idea was that many women are returning to work in search of additional money and personal fulfillment. Further, most of the sample felt that their roles are changing too slowly. When asked whether wives should have roles in the Air Force, 54.0 percent agreed and 23.4 percent disagreed. Wives who agreed felt that their roles should be self-defined but supportive of their husbands. Those who disagreed stated that their husbands, not they, were paid for working and that the Air Force should no longer expect to get "two for one." Others stated that they were equal partners with their husbands and that mutual support centered on the family. More than 53 percent agreed and 22.9 percent disagreed when asked whether Air Force leaders expect wives to act in traditional roles. Generally, most wives felt that although some leaders favor traditional roles, wives' roles will change during the next 10 years to the point that work outside the home will be totally acceptable.
The survey showed mixed responses to the statement, "When my husband comes home and says that I am expected to attend an Air Force related event, I am happy to participate regardless of my interest in the function or my other personal commitments" (53.3 percent disagreed and 28.7 percent agreed). Many wives explained that willingness to participate depends on the event. Others stated that their husbands would never expect such behavior and that they make joint decisions on such matters. Still others stated that they would attend events in support of their husbands. In responding to the statement, "The Air Force is a specialized profession; therefore, it requires more from me than might be expected in the civilian world," 53.3 percent of the sample agreed and 36.4 percent disagreed. For example, alerts required by the Strategic Air Command and periods of war definitely make the Air Force more specialized and require more of wives. But most comments indicated that certain types of civilian jobs are just as specialized as jobs in the Air Force.
One survey question concerning the roles of Air Force wives was open-ended: "I think the role(s) of the Air Force wife should be. . . ." By far the most frequent response was that Air Force wives should support their husbands not only in relation to the Air Force but also within the framework of a good marriage. Many wives stated that they understood their roles in support of their husbands but that they should also be able to pursue their own goals at the same time. Some felt that their roles should be a matter of individual choice--friend, lover, helpmate, mother, homemaker, or careerist apart from the husband. Still others felt that they are part of a joint support system, that is, husbands should support their wives just as wives support them. And some stated that they should have no role in Air Force affairs.
Regarding roles, the respondents felt that the traditional role of the Air Force wife is changing to the extent that today wives are more responsive to societal demands and the state of the economy than ever before. They believe that they should have a role, but that it should be self-defined, support-oriented, and compatible with individual desires.
The last major area of the survey dealt with a variety of issues concerning the effects of official policies and programs on the personal needs and desires of Air Force wives. When asked to compare their needs and desires with those of their husbands, 93.7 percent of the wives felt strongly that their values are just as important as those of their husbands. Most wives felt that they live in partnership with their husbands and that together they function as family units. They expressed a somewhat different reaction to the statement, "Air Force leaders are sensitive to my needs and desires." In this instance, 38.1 percent disagreed and 31.6 percent agreed. Many wives stated that while some leaders are sensitive to their needs, others are insensitive; others felt that leaders need not be sensitive to their needs, since the Air Force mission comes first; and still others suggested that many leaders pay lip service to their needs and desires. Some of the wives stated that leaders are slowly becoming more sensitive in this area. Fifty-six percent of the sample agreed and 17.5 percent disagreed that the Air Force should exert more effort in requesting and encouraging wives to assume supporting responsibilities rather than expecting them to play specified roles. Such comments as "You get more done if you ask," "no one likes to be told," and "please is a nice word" reflect attitudes in this area. Most wives felt that, after making requests of them, the Air Force should "graciously accept whatever answers they give" and thank them for their efforts.
The survey results were interesting in the important area of jobs. In describing their husbands' careers, 69.9 percent of the wives agreed that their husbands are solely responsible for their own progression. They qualified their agreement by stating that support and help from the family are beneficial, but at the other end of the spectrum, 55.1 percent agreed and 37.0 percent disagreed with the statement that wives should be free to "do their own thing" in life without any adverse effect on their husbands' careers. However, they also felt that wives should exercise this freedom "within moral limits" and never in conflict with husbands. The idea of mutual support and teamwork in the marriage is important. They indicated that wives should not bring embarrassment to their husbands and that they should keep their behavior "within the limits of good taste." More than 85 percent stated that their jobs are just as important as their husbands' jobs. The survey defined jobs as whatever the wives believed them to be: jobs as housewives or jobs outside the home. Again, the concept of mutual support and team effort was deemed the important issue in perceptions of jobs in either category. More than 55 percent of the wives disagreed with the statement that the Air Force "conflicts with my job. " Most comments suggested that PCS moves handicap them in getting promoted or holding jobs.
The final area concerning the needs and desires of wives centered in the family. As to whether the Air Force conflicts with or enhances family life, 55 percent felt that it enhances family life and only 18.5 percent felt that it conflicts with the family. The wives cited traveling, meeting new people, broadening experiences, and promoting family closeness as the greatest enhancements, and long working hours and TDYs as major sources of disenchantment. The statement, "The Air Force conflicts with my personal life," brought 57.4 percent disagreement and 23.5 percent agreement. Some wives stated that the Air Force is "part of my personal life" and that it provides a wealth of valuable experience. Forty-nine percent of the wives disagreed and 42.4 percent agreed that the Air Force provides adequate compensation (money and benefits) for the quality of life desired for their families. Most women felt that the income was adequate but that air Force jobs should be more closely aligned with their civilian counterparts. A major complaint focused on the lack of benefits for family dental care, routine moving expenses, and compensation for losses from the sale of homes required by PCS moves. Many wives perceive an erosion of benefits in the face of concurrent demands from the Air Force for more effort. The statement, "I enjoy the new opportunities, new friends, and changes in my environment (home, job, etc.) associated with Air Force PCS moves," brought 77.8 percent agreement and only 11 percent disagreement. Most wives felt that living in different areas of the country and the world is one of the most positive benefits offered by the Air Force. The only major concerns centered on the difficulties of leaving and finding jobs and the emotional shock for high school children forced to leave their friends at the peak of their teenage years.
One can draw a number of conclusions from this part of the survey.
Finally, when asked whether or not they were happy with Air Force life, 83.7 percent of the wives felt happiness, and only 6.3 percent felt unhappiness. This is a good testimony for the Air Force lifestyle.
What are the causes of these changing attitudes among Air Force wives? For one thing, American society as a whole is changing because people are demanding greater freedom in selecting their personal and family lifestyles. Certainly, the women's liberation movement has opened many doors formerly closed to women. Continuing problems with the national economy have forced many women into the job market and out of their traditional roles to provide funds for children of college age and to support a desire quality of life. In recent decades, the accelerated rate of change in technology, legal relationships, social behavior, education, and economic systems has created vastly diverse experiences in value programming between generations, and these shifts are reflected in the attitudes and lifestyles of today's Air Force families. Many men and women are seeking new balances between work and family responsibilities, and they are searching for greater meaning in leisure activities and family companionship. Work has declined as a central interest in life and as a primary determinant of self-images. Traditional family patterns have shifted to nontraditional patterns that sanction the employment of wives outside the home and give priority to the family over the husbands' careers.3
The impact of these changes on Air Force policies is significant. Since Air Force wives play central roles in the lives of military members and their families, they exercise a direct influence on the Air Force mission. The military mission and the military family now compete for the same resource, the service member's time and commitment. Mission requirements have traditionally demanded priority over the family, but many modern military families place their own needs above the mission.4 With changes in the traditional roles of Air Force wives have come similar changes in the social activities that commit them as hostesses and participants. The Air Force must accept situations that do not require active participation of wives; commanders must fill gaps when wives are unable or unwilling to participate; and many activities involving wives must be reorganized, eliminated, or appropriated. The Office of Air Force Family Matters conducts continuing studies reflecting interest in these and other issues, such as dual-career families, spouse employment, retirement, retention, parenting, midlife crisis, and reluctance to move. And as American society continues to change, these and other issues will continue to receive emphasis.
Finally, the last portion of the survey asked (or responses to the statement, "If I could change one thing in the Air Force, would change. . . ." Here the wives offered some significant recommendations. They admit a sense of excitement in moving, but many felt that they move too often. They frequently asked "What is wrong with staying at the same job more than three to five years as long as their husbands are happy and productive?" They suggested that the Air Force could save millions of dollars by reducing the number and frequency of moves. But when it becomes necessary to move, they felt that military families should receive more compensation to offset major costs not reflected in current benefits. Many wives perceived a lack of quality in medical facilities, particularly mentioning irritating appointment systems, their sense of being treated like second-class citizens, and inadequate dental care. Others suggested improvements in base housing facilities and preference for lower-ranking families who cannot afford to live off-base. As a group, the wives desire fewer remote tours and TDYs for their husbands and more emphasis on family needs and desires, with less pressure to join traditional organizations.
The wives indicated that they would raise many of these same issues if they "could tell the Chief of Staff of the Air Force one thing about Air Force life." Emphasis on the family, fewer PCS moves, more money when moves are necessary, and better medical and dental programs are recommendations that stand out. Some wives suggested that the Chief should explain to the civilian world the hardships of military life and the lack of comparable pay and benefits. Others desire more significant roles in selecting assignments, and many would tell the Chief that the Air Force is indeed "a great way of life." Responses included such typical comments as these: "It is a good life"; "I love it"; "Thank you . . . Sir"; "Godspeed."
THE RESPONSES to the survey apparently reflect three basic conclusions:
As participants in Air Force life, we must all consider the implications of these views and, when appropriate, accept constructive changes consistent with the Air Force mission. Perhaps the following comment by one Air Force wife captures the essence of attitudes held by other wives toward military life: "Aside from being left alone to contend with broken cars, sick kids, blizzards, and heatwaves, it's a hell of a way of life."
Air Command and Staff College
Complete tabular data in rank percentages are available through the Air University Review office.
Notes
1. Mary Kay Murphy and Carol Bowles Parker, Fitting in as a New Service Wife (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, 1966), p. 135.
2. Nancy Shea, The Air Force Wife (New York, 1966), pp. 9-12.
3. Chaplain (Maj. Gen.) Richard Carr, USAF, Dr. Dennis K. Orthner, and Chaplain (Maj.) Richard J. Brown III, USAFR, "Living and Family Patterns in the Air Force," Air University Review, January-February 1980, p. 76, Morris Massey, The People Puzzle (Reston, Virginia, 1979), p. 21; Dennis K. Orthner, Families in Blue, Office of the Chief of Chaplains, USAF, 1980, p. 9; Larry W. Black, "Changing Patterns of Air Force Families," student paper, Air Command and Staff College, 1982, p. iii.
4. Cecile S. Landrum, "The Conflicts Surrounding Family and Children versus Mission Responsibilities," Office of External Affairs, ACS/Studies and Analysis, Headquarters, United States Air Force, 1979, p. 3.
Contributor
Major Mark M. Warner (B.A., Monmouth College, Illinois; B.S., Cornell University; M.A., State University of New York, Plattsburgh) is assigned to the faculty at Air Command and Staff College. He has served as instructor pilot and wing staff officer, ATC; B-52 aircraft commander and mission developer, and a SAC plans program manager; and research and development systems manager with Air Force Systems Command. Major Warner is a graduate of Squadron Officer School and of Air Command and Staff College.
Disclaimer
The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University.
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