If the term “Selective Service System” doesn’t resonate with you, it’s likely because you’re a woman—or perhaps you have only daughters. For young American men, however, “Selective Service” equates to “the draft,” and yes, they are still obligated to register.
As a woman, the draft may not be a concern for me. However, I have three sons who will soon turn 18, and the loss of their autonomy in this matter weighs heavily on my mind, even though both my father and husband chose to serve.
Here’s the reality: Selective Service is a topic that rarely comes up in conversation. Many people are unaware of its existence, so let me shed some light on it.
The draft was abolished in January 1973, but in 1980, amid the Cold War tensions, President Jimmy Carter reinstated the requirement for all American males aged 18 to 25 to register for Selective Service. Boys must register within 30 days of their 18th birthday, ensuring the government knows their whereabouts should a draft become necessary again. The repercussions for failing to register can be severe, including up to five years in prison or a hefty fine of $250,000.
That’s right: Your son—and even you, if you’re deemed to have aided him—could face jail time for not registering within that 30-day window. Additionally, if he isn’t registered, he will be unable to apply for government jobs or receive financial aid for college.
If you’re wondering how such a law exists in the United States, you’re not alone. President Ronald Reagan opposed Selective Service, famously stating during a 1979 debate that the law implies “your kids belong to the state.” This assumption is not new; similar sentiments were held during darker times in history.
But here’s the catch: while women have fought for and earned the right to serve in combat roles, they are not required to register for Selective Service. The government seems relieved that the Selective Service System, and its outdated website—www.sss.gov—remain under the radar. The site features outdated phrases like, “Registration: It’s What a Man’s Got to Do,” and skims over the fact that women are exempt from registration.
Curiously, the site does clarify its stance on transgender individuals: those assigned female at birth who transition to male do not need to register, but those assigned male at birth who transition to female do.
What about families with only one son, the last to carry on the family name? The SSS states that even “only sons” must register and can be drafted. Yes, you read that correctly: they can be drafted.
Rest easy, your daughters are safe. They have the choice to serve or not. Even if your son has a disability, he must still register, while healthy daughters do not.
Despite the argument that women should remain safe at home to bear children, couldn’t similar reasoning apply to men? Is it truly equitable to selectively enforce gender roles in this manner? By chance, I have three boys, and as they transition into adulthood, I must confront the reality that the government reserves the right to compel my sons into service—or worse.
Meanwhile, friends with daughters can take solace in knowing their girls are not subject to the draft. However, if we believe in true equality, then it’s time for women to be included in the registration process. If not, then the Selective Service’s claim of fairness becomes utterly hollow.
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Summary
The Selective Service System still requires young men to register for the draft, while women are exempt. This raises questions about gender equality and the fairness of a system that obligates only boys to register. As society moves forward, the conversation about equal responsibilities in military service should continue.