Why the WRNS was not fully integrated until 1993

Why was the Women's Royal Naval Service not fully integrated into the Royal Navy until 1993?

Social and political resistance to women serving aboard ships and facing combat risk delayed integration, despite women's ability to meet service standards.

Changing attitudes to women at sea and in combat delayed full integration of the WRNS. Numbers also mattered, including the proportion of the total force made up by women. Newspaper attention to female British sailors captured by Iran illustrates the different public expectations surrounding women and men in danger. The central judgment is that anyone who passes the training and qualifies can serve. The remaining issue is whether the nation is prepared to accept the capture or death of those servicewomen.