May 28th 2024.
"Can you believe it, Mum?" my 15-year-old daughter exclaimed, lying on my bed and scrolling through ASOS. "They want to force us into the Army when we turn 18!"
I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the news. Just another desperate attempt from Rishi Sunak to appeal to the old-fashioned right-wing crowd. But then again, I couldn't deny the slight temptation to tell her I had already signed her up for the waiting list.
My girls, aged 12 and 15, are what you would call "city kids". They're so used to the comfort and convenience of London that they refused to go on a school trip to the countryside. They couldn't bear to be away from their hair straighteners for a few days, so it's no wonder they're horrified by the idea of spending a year in the military.
Don't get me wrong, I can see the potential benefits of learning teamwork, self-discipline, and cleanliness. But surely there are other ways to instill these values without sending our kids off to join a regiment?
National Service was a post-war program where physically fit men between the ages of 17 and 21 were required to serve in the armed forces for 18 months. Now, the Tories want to bring it back in hopes of gaining support from older voters. But let's be real, anyone with common sense can see that the military aspect of National Service is a billion-pound waste of money.
Even former naval chief Adm Alan West referred to the plan as "bonkers", while Labour leader Keir Starmer called it "desperate". It's clear that this proposal is not gaining much support.
But here's the thing, the last thing our hard-working Armed Forces need is a bunch of whiny teenagers joining their ranks. Picture it, a group of 18-year-olds riding around on electric scooters, glued to TikTok, and complaining about waking up before noon. Not exactly a morale booster.
However, I do see a tiny glimmer of hope in this whole ordeal. Giving teenagers the opportunity to volunteer and give back to their communities could be a valuable experience. It's a chance for them to step out of their comfort zones, interact with different generations, and learn new skills.
I've witnessed the positive impact of mixing with older people firsthand, when my daughters' school choir visited a care home pre-Covid. And personally, I've found volunteering at a disco for over-65s to be one of the most uplifting things I do.
Research has shown that 77% of 18-24-year-old volunteers feel less isolated after giving their time to a cause. So why not have young people spend one weekend a month volunteering with NHS workers or helping the elderly? It's not a huge sacrifice, but it could be a real eye-opener.
Compassion and empathy are the most valuable skills we can give our teenagers. And they come from understanding and helping others. While volunteering has its obvious benefits, labeling it as National Service is just fear-mongering.
Some argue that National Service will instill a sense of pride in "Great" Britain among the younger generation. But let's be realistic, with an under-funded NHS and the lack of affordable housing, it will take much more than that to give our youth a sense of hope and patriotism.
And has anyone thought about the fact that not everyone would be able to afford a whole year off after school? What about young carers who already have responsibilities to work and take care of their families? Or those living with disabilities and mental health conditions, who may face having their benefits cut?
Spending £2.5 billion on National Service is not what the UK needs right now. This generation of teenagers has already faced enough challenges, with their education being disrupted and their mental health at an all-time low due to the pandemic. Any mandated program needs to have some flexibility for these circumstances.
It's time for our political parties to actually spend some time listening to young people before coming up with these policies. Contrary to popular belief, they are not "selfish losers". My daughters and their friends would love the opportunity to make a difference and help others.
In fact, why not start them volunteering earlier in their school years? Taking a few hours out of the school week to do voluntary work could teach them valuable skills and empathy. I've seen the impact volunteering has had on my own mental health. It's not just a selfless act, but also a way to boost your own well-being by doing good for others.
We could even make it a GCSE subject, providing practical skills and helping students discover their passions and potential careers.
As a parent, I want to give my children the tools to become resilient and successful in the workplace. And if National Service was a fully-funded program to support young people in volunteering, rather than a daunting prospect of being sent off to the military, I would wholeheartedly encourage my daughters to take part.
But let's face it, the UK and our economy are facing enough challenges right now. The £2.5 billion proposed for National Service could be better spent on improving NHS services, reducing child poverty, and providing real training opportunities for young people to enter the workforce. It's time for our government to prioritize wisely.
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