anyone feel uncomfortable about Military Wives Choir?

[Bennifer]

That?s it really. Although I like the idea that the wives are raising money for charity ~(and that we won't have an X factor number 1), there?s something a little unsettling about the military wives angle I can?t quite put my finger on. Am I overthinking this?

[Sparklingbaubles]

Is it because it's only wives then?

[redrubyshoes]

There will no doubt be a film coming out as well!

[MmeLindor.]

Yes, I think you are.

Is it because they are "just wives" that annoys you?

It is great that they are being recognised and doing something that they enjoy. It must be bloody hard to put your life on hold for months while your partner is away.

[yellowraincoat]

I know what you mean. I think it's a great cause, it's great that these women who are probably often side-lined have an opportunity to do something and be heard and that they have a chance to socialise in what must often be a only position.

On the other hand, are there really still so few women in the military that not a single husband could be found? Or is it that even if you are a military husband, you're not defined by your wife's role?

Absolutely no disrespect to the choir, I'm buying their single this afternoon and have shed many a youtube tear over it (or Gareth Malone, who I think is great), it's just a bit sad that women are still second class to men.

[Cinderfella]

But they are wives

These women are so strong - running homes, carrying out the day to day monotomies without the support of their partners whilst they are in a warzone. I feel that they can show the best that a woman can be in a "dire" situation. They not onyl get on with it but support one another and do it for the most part without whinge-ing (or the ones I know do!) :)

[meditrina]

The lack of husbands might be because they chose to use Chivenor - a barracks which is mainly occupied by the Royal Marines (a part of the military which is all male).

[MmeLindor.]

I suppose that the majority of the military partners are women, and that is not sexist or anything, just the way it is.

[MudAndGlitter]

really?
They're probably proud to be wives and proud of their husbands.

[yellowraincoat]

But would anyone ever think to do a Military Husbands Choir?

[SardineQueen]

So what happened to the women who wanted to sing but were not married to their partners?

[iklboonkey]

The men could always form their own choir then couldn't they? You know, like the women did?

[MudAndGlitter]

Does it really matter? I'm sure there are more serious gender issues in the world than this.

[yellowraincoat]

I'm not really sure why people are getting so aggressive.

[Cinderfella]

This time last year when it was our regiments on deployment - I knew a lot of female soldiers who were out in Afghanistan but it was mainly wives left at home.

Even if the numbers had been 50/50 without sounding sexist - I can't imagine husbands joining the choir - maybe because 1) it would appear to be something for the wives 2) juggling career and children would not be easy (again true for many of the wives) 3) worried that they would be the token male or would worry that they wouldn't be welcomed.

[meditrina]

Does anyone know, from a musical point of view, if there are big differences in what you can do with a female voice choir rather than a mixed one? And if so, has at been reflected in what was done here?

[MudAndGlitter]

Why are women second class to men here? They are the ones getting off their arses and doing the song so surely men are second class?

[SardineQueen]

But what happened to women who wanted to sing and were not married?

[Bennifer]

I suppose what I'm getting at is perhaps is perhaps the recognition of gender stereotypes played out on a mass scale, and following the royal wedding, it reinforces what always was, and always will be, and if we're honest, it's probably what most people are happy with.

I'm not being very eloquent here, and don't take this as an anti-military post.