In Israel, every young man and woman is required to provide one year of service to their country. Many here in this country argue that our children, for whom service is strictly voluntary, ought to give a year to their country as well. What does your family think?
• Ask them how they would feel about spending their first year out of high school serving America rather than going to college or to work?
• Do they think a universal service “draft” is right or wrong, constitutional or not?
• What kind of service should be allowed? How would they choose to serve -- in the military or in some other kind of service like Freedom Corps?
• Do they think a year experiencing the real world before going to college would better prepare young people for the rigors and responsibility of academic life—and help them grow up?
THat's an interesting question. I know that in Sweden people are required to serve in the military as well. I think it's a great idea to encourage our youth to serve (maybe mandatory service isn't the best idea, it kind of takes the whole point out of "service" when you're required to do it). But I think a good question is, Who do you want to serve? Your local community? The nation? Another nation? The global community? Local churches, Freedom Corps, Peace Corps are all great options for these. First things first: get educated, get empowered, then use it to help others!
Posted by: Jim LaVern | Friday, March 23, 2007 at 04:02 AM