We often focus on the economic costs of war and dismiss the social costs. A Yale study conducted from 1990 to 1992, which appeared in the American Public of Journal Health, found that combat veterans are more likely to engage in domestic abuse. Subsequent studies following recent wars have substantiated such findings. These social problems that arise as a result of such prolonged military engagements threaten an interwoven social, moral and economic fabric of our society.
For instance, let us examine how war results in social costs and secondary interrelated economic costs. If a combat veteran returns from a combat experience and now has post-traumatic stress disorder, the veteran now has to transition from a combat environment to a civilized environment in which he is expected to work, raise his family, make a living and tend to the everyday daily activities of living. However, such combat experiences will most likely make it very challenging for anyone to adapt to a normal environment.
Today, many Veterans from combat engagements have returned with severe mental disabilities which have caused disruptions in their family life. As a result, many Veterans with psychiatric disabilities are unable to resume normal functioning in their daily lives and are unable to obtain and maintain gainful employment. We end up with a large percentage of human capital not being utilized in a productive manner to contribute to our nation’s productivity.
Certainly, I agree that these Veterans who stood by our side at a time of war deserves every benefit they are entitled to by law. I am only emphasizing that such an imperialistic foreign policy does much more damage than meets the eye by undermining our domestic economy.