Blog #1

The main character of the book, Torn by David Massey, is Private Elinor Nielson and the story starts off with her first day in Afghanistan. During her first morning, Elinor has to take a shower and as she does there were men on top of the neighboring building. Because of this, the men saw everything. This part that Massey describes is one of the reasons why people have reservations about allowing women into the military. Around the time I read this part, we were having a discussion, in my history class, of whether women should be allowed into the military, the topic of which I was all for. The reason for the reservations is mainly due to the fact of cases of sexual assault in the military, which I believe the solution is remind the soldiers why they are there in the first place, to protect their country. So if people are willing to give their lives for their country I say let them. That's why soldiers are regarded with the utmost respect and I don't think anyone should be denied that especially due to gender. I can't imagine having being in Elinor's position as a 19-year-old medic in such a hostile environment, and as result Massey has gained my respect for character. And I'm looking froward to reading more.