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Why do some Mothers not talk about their military service?

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TOPIC: Until the last few years during the War in Iraq, women who served in the military and later become mothers usually did not talk to their children about their military service for a variety of reasons. This phenomenon is sharply less common among women who's husbands also served in the military. The purpose of this survey is to determine both from Mothers and their children why many mom's didn't talk to their children, and particularly their daughters, about their military and/or war service.

THIS PORTION OF THE SURVEY IS FOR FORMER MILITARY MOTHERS

QUESTION 1/6: Do/did your children ASK you about your military service?

QUESTION 2/6:

Why did you not want to tell your children about your military service?

    I did something wrong in the military I was embarrassed about
    Because something very bad happened to me I wanted to forget my military time.
    I thought they were too young to hear about real life
    I felt my military service was undistinguished or unimpressive
    I wanted to forget my years in the military and put that past behind me

    Another reason:

QUESTION 3/6:

Why did you think your husband did not want you to tell your children about your military service?

    He felt my experiences would traumatize our children
    He wanted our children to think their parent's lives began after our marriage
    He competed with me for our kid's attention and my military service was something he felt his life couldn't match
    He didn't want our kids to grow up wanting to serve in the military

    Another reason:

QUESTION 4/6:

Were your children interested in your military service?

    Yes, they were very interested
    Yes, somewhat but not much
    No, they showed little to no interest in my military service

    Another reason:

QUESTION 5/6:

Generally, former military women will rarely or never display their military medals or certificates. Do you?

    Yes, they are proudly displayed openly in my home
    Yes, but I only show them on special, limited occasions
    No, I never kept them
    No, because they intimidated the men in my life
    No, because my female friends women who didn't serve in the military intimidated me.

    Another reason:

QUESTION 6/5:

Do you want your children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews to know about your military service after you're gone?

    Yes, very much so
    Yes, but only as a footnote
    No, I want them to remember me more for something else I did in my life
    No, not at all

    Another reason:

MOTHER'S, PLEASE CLICK HERE TO FINISH YOUR PORTION OF THIS SURVEY

THIS PORTION OF THE SURVEY IS FOR MILITARY CHILDREN

QUESTION 1/3: Do/did you ever ASK your mother to talk about her military service?

    Yes, often
    Yes, occasionally
    Yes, but rarely
    No, I wasn't much interested in her military service
    No, my mother didn't want me to ask him
    No, my mother didn't want me to ask him

    Another reason:

QUESTION 2/3: Do/did your mother VOLUNTARILY talk about her military service without your asking?

    Yes, often
    Yes, occasionally
    Yes, but rarely
    No, never or almost never

    Another reason:

If you answered "No" to the above Question (#2) please continue to the final Question (#3). If you answered "Yes" to the above Question, please Click Here To Finish

QUESTION 3/3: Why do/did you think your mother did not want to talk to you about her military service?

    She never gave an explanation
    She seemed embarrassed about her military service
    She was modest about being thought of a hero
    She seemed angry or bitter about her military service
    She felt I could never understand her military experiences
    My father prohibited her from telling me about her military service

    Another reason:


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