Male Chaplains and Female Soldiers: Are There Gender and Denominational Differences in Military Pastoral Care?

Abstract

In this study, 15 United States Army chaplain men described the practices they engaged in when providing pastoral support to women soldiers. Many engaged in creating safe spaces for women and themselves, particularly in regard to avoiding perceptions of impropriety. Other clergy did not consider gender a factor in counseling. Some chaplains placed limitations on the amount of support they would give. This study did not determine the degree to which chaplain men were effective.

Keywords

Male chaplain women soldiers pastoral support gender denominational differences

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