May 26th 2024.
The topic of National Service has been a hot one among parents lately. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak recently announced that if the Conservative Party is re-elected, 18-year-olds will be required to partake in some form of National Service. This has sparked quite a debate among parents, with many taking to social media and parenting forums like Mumsnet to share their thoughts.
Under this policy, 18-year-olds will have the option of either serving in the armed forces full-time for a year or volunteering in their community for one weekend a month for 12 months. The Conservative Party aims to have this program up and running by September 2025, with an estimated cost of £2.5 billion per year. They plan to fund £1 billion of this through cracking down on tax avoidance and evasion.
Some parents have expressed their concern and unhappiness with this policy, feeling that it is more of a threat than a promise. One Mumsnet user, catchlock, wrote, "This feels like a threat, not an election promise." Another user, cavernclub, added, "It would create a generation of teenagers who would rebel against authority. Being forced to do something against your will at that age is counterproductive."
While some branded the idea as "ridiculous," others simply felt worried about their children being forced into something they didn't want to do. One parent shared, "I have a 14-year-old son with autism and learning difficulties. He can't even tie his own shoelaces or ride a bike. I'm scared to death about an idea like this." Another parent commented, "My 17-year-old has plenty to do with her part-time job and A levels. She doesn't need to be an unpaid volunteer care worker as well."
Despite the opposition, there are also some parents who believe that National Service could be beneficial for young people as a learning experience. Mumsnet user MaryMaryVeryContrary wrote, "I think National Service is a great idea in theory and would massively benefit today's teens, but I don't think they would implement it effectively at all. It would probably end up a huge waste of money." Another user, PurpleChrayn, added, "I am clearly in the minority, but I'm for it. I have experience in two countries with mandatory service - Singapore and Israel - and the kids it turns out are, on the whole, mature, responsible, and hardworking thanks to their military training."
But what do experts think about this idea? Parenting expert Kirsty Ketley expressed her concern for the mental health of teenagers if they are forced into National Service. She believes that it could be catastrophic for them, especially considering the current mental health crisis among teenagers. She also pointed out that it could affect those who already have a career or educational path in mind, as they would have to fit in volunteering among their studies or work.
Natalie Costa, a former teacher and current parenting and children's confidence coach, is also worried about the impact National Service could have on young people's mental health. She believes that while it may benefit some, it could also have a negative impact on those who are already struggling. "Teens have faced an immense amount of uncertainty and change over the past few years, which only adds to the increasing numbers of mental health challenges that we've seen. Expecting 18-year-olds to be part of National Service isn't going to be in their best interest," she said.
Overall, the idea of mandatory National Service for 18-year-olds has sparked a lot of discussion and debate among parents. Some believe it could be beneficial, while others have concerns about its potential impact on mental health and personal plans for the future. As the General Election approaches, it remains to be seen what will happen with this proposed policy.
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