Beyond Combat

Abstract

Beyond Combat investigates how the Vietnam War both reinforced and challenged the gender roles that were key components of American Cold War ideology. Refocusing attention onto women and gender paints a more complex and accurate picture of the war's far-reaching impact beyond the battlefields. Encounters between Americans and Vietnamese were shaped by a cluster of intertwined images used to make sense of and justify American intervention and use of force in Vietnam. These images included the girl next door, a wholesome reminder of why the United States was committed to defeating Communism, and the treacherous and mysterious 'dragon lady', who served as a metaphor for Vietnamese women and South Vietnam. Heather Stur also examines the ways in which ideas about masculinity shaped the American GI experience in Vietnam and, ultimately, how some American men and women returned from Vietnam to challenge homefront gender norms.

War reporting

“…On another level, it would be relevant to develop a sociological analysis of the socio-professional field by focusing on its actors, their itineraries, their professional trajectories, and the statuses and roles they consider having. Studies have been conducted on special envoys (Pedelty, 1994), the rules on interacting with journalists in war zones (Markham, 2013), the place of emotions in the career and practice of reporters (Le Cam and Ruellan, 2017) and on gendered professional practices (Elwood-Akers, 1988, Stur, 2011 based on the experience in Vietnam. Much remains to be done, for instance about the cooperation and rules regulating interactions amongst the actors of the information scene.…”

Reportages de guerre

“…Sous un autre registre, il apparaît pertinent de porter un regard analytique sur la sociologie de cet univers socio-professionnel en mettant en lumière ses acteurs, leurs itinéraires, leurs trajectoires professionnelles, les statuts et les rôles dont ils se revendiquent. Des études ont été menées, notamment sur les envoyés spéciaux (Pedelty, 1994), les règles de relations des journalistes sur les terrains de guerre (Markham, 2013), la place des émotions dans la carrière et la pratique des reporters (Le Cam et Ruellan, 2017) et sur les pratiques professionnelles genrées (Elwood-Akers, 1988, Stur, 2011 à partir de l'expérience au Vietnam. Beaucoup pourrait être encore fait, en particulier à propos des coopérations et règles de relation entre les acteurs de la scène informationnelle.…”

Reportagens de guerra

“…Em outro registro, parece relevante lançar um olhar analítico sobre a sociologia desse universo socioprofissional, destacando seus atores, seus itinerários, suas trajetórias profissionais, o status e os papéis a que se reivindicam. Estudos têm sido realizados, em particular sobre enviados especiais (Pedelty, 1994), as regras de relacionamento para jornalistas no campo da guerra (Markham, 2013), o lugar das emoções na carreira e na prática dos repórteres (Le Cam e Ruellan, 2017) e nas práticas profissionais de gênero (Elwood-Akers, 1988, Stur, 2011 a partir da experiência no Vietnã. Muito ainda poderia ser feito, principalmente no que diz respeito às regras de cooperação e relacionamento entre os atores da cena informacional.…”