(SPOILER) Nimue and the Royal Guard

Anyone one else here want to see the slow motion replay of Nimue beating the crap out of Sheltyn? I know I did, was one of the best parts of the book imo.

On that note, I wonder how her high profile appointment may lead to the inclusion of woman into the ICA and ICN. Manpower is always an issue in warfare and in a war the scale that Charis is in they can use all the manpower they can get. If they can even get a small fraction of woman to help boost military numbers it could help a bunch. Even if it's a bunch of non-combatant roles such as working with supply routes, guard duty, or even helping man long range angle gun encampments. Every little bit helps IMO. Charis sure as hell will need all the people they can get to handle the Harchong Army when they finally get committed t0 the field.

It wouldn't be a question of RFC's feelings, judging from his other series. It would be matter of wether or not Safehold is ready for woman in the military

Does anyone know of how gender-biased (i.e. sexist) normal industry is?

I would have thought that it would be easier for women to penetrate normal industry (i.e. "Rosie the Riveter") before looking at women in the military.

Housemyn has started bringing in women, but he is aware it is a departure from convention and has a long way to go. There is scene in LAMA where a woman is being appointed a supervisor (for the pistol assembly line, maybe?) and it's a first. Women in the military are a long way off, I think. Nimue is a special case, she's a Seijin and her assignment is to guard a woman and a child, both of which make it easier for her to be accepted - but even her not by everybody!

Remember Housemyn's thought's on "muscle powered" society and women.

As long as upper-body strength is important for many jobs (including the military), the number of women *able* to do those jobs will be limited.

As for Nimue, remember that her PICA body makes her stronger than any man (besides Merlin) on Safehold.

Randomiser wrote:Housemyn has started bringing in women, but he is aware it is a departure from convention and has a long way to go. There is scene in LAMA where a woman is being appointed a supervisor (for the pistol assembly line, maybe?) and it's a first. Women in the military are a long way off, I think. Nimue is a special case, she's a Seijin and her assignment is to guard a woman and a child, both of which make it easier for her to be accepted - but even her not by everybody!

DrakBibliophile wrote:Remember Housemyn's thought's on "muscle powered" society and women.

As long as upper-body strength is important for many jobs (including the military), the number of women *able* to do those jobs will be limited.

In my experience, don't make that point with a woman who works on a farm; she will undoubtedly make you regret it.

I think people tend to underestimate how strong women generally are in a "muscle powered" society and because of this the labor pool of women is not that limited as you think.

If a woman can meet the same standards that a man has to meet, I have no problem with her doing the job.

The problem is that sometimes "standards" are lowered for women but not for men.

Joat42 wrote:

DrakBibliophile wrote:Remember Housemyn's thought's on "muscle powered" society and women.

As long as upper-body strength is important for many jobs (including the military), the number of women *able* to do those jobs will be limited.

In my experience, don't make that point with a woman who works on a farm; she will undoubtedly make you regret it.

I think people tend to underestimate how strong women generally are in a "muscle powered" society and because of this the labor pool of women is not that limited as you think.

DrakBibliophile wrote:If a woman can meet the same standards that a man has to meet, I have no problem with her doing the job.

The problem is that sometimes "standards" are lowered for women but not for men.

I've found that in most cases it's actually the opposite, ie. the "boys will be boys" mentality vs. "she did WHAT?!".

I'm talking about physical standards required for a job not behavioral standards.

If a man has to lift 100 pounds to qualify for a job, then a woman shouldn't have to lift 75 pounds to qualify for the same job.

As for your claim about behavioral standards, what's the color of the sky on your planet?

Joat42 wrote:

DrakBibliophile wrote:If a woman can meet the same standards that a man has to meet, I have no problem with her doing the job.

The problem is that sometimes "standards" are lowered for women but not for men.

I've found that in most cases it's actually the opposite, ie. the "boys will be boys" mentality vs. "she did WHAT?!".

Women in combat might be a while, but women serving in non-combat positions will be pretty soon. I would suspect that there will be women machinists and engineering officers pretty soon. I doubt that women will serve onboard ships for some time yet. Women officers will serve on naval bases.

I do suspect that Ahlanah will serve on an ICN uber-dreadnought as the next story arc begins. Perhaps she will be the welcoming ensign or newly minted lieutenant when Midshipman Hektor Haarald Merlin Maikel Alpin-Ahrmahk III joins her crew for his middy cruise. Each will have graduated from the Imperial Naval Academy at Little Tirian Island.

DrakBibliophile wrote:Remember Housemyn's thought's on "muscle powered" society and women.

As long as upper-body strength is important for many jobs (including the military), the number of women *able* to do those jobs will be limited.

As for Nimue, remember that her PICA body makes her stronger than any man (besides Merlin) on Safehold.

Randomiser wrote:Housemyn has started bringing in women, but he is aware it is a departure from convention and has a long way to go. There is scene in LAMA where a woman is being appointed a supervisor (for the pistol assembly line, maybe?) and it's a first. Women in the military are a long way off, I think. Nimue is a special case, she's a Seijin and her assignment is to guard a woman and a child, both of which make it easier for her to be accepted - but even her not by everybody!