Thanks for such a well articulated argument lala, I think that unfortunately it IS necessary to make it that clear sometimes although it would be nice if the simple post from Angela Parr was enough.

Anyone notice that the 'reasons' why women shouldn't fight are often the same as the reasons why some people think children shouldn't fight? Are we children? Do we need to be protected like children because we don't always know whats best for ourselves? Again that turns females into something weaker, needy and inferior.

And this idea that men fight because of some innate need for war-readiness, well doesn't that just make men who fight so much more noble than women who do! (or men who don't!) But again I don't think this argument holds up as there are very solid examples of cultures where women are warriors as well. Besides, culture is about change, humans aren't animals and don't have to be slaves to their biological drives.