50 hours compulsory community service for all under the age of 19...
Quote:
Gordon Brown has vowed to make every young person do 50 hours of voluntary work by the time they reach the age of 19.
The Prime Minister said a pledge to introduce compulsory community service would be included in Labour's next General Election manifesto.
Under the scheme, the work is likely to become part of the National Curriculum.
It would be integrated into moves to make everyone stay in education or training until the age of 18 by 2011.
Writing in the News of the World, Mr Brown insisted: "It is my ambition to create a Britain in which there is a clear expectation that all young people will undertake some service to their community, and where community service will become a normal part of growing up in Britain.
"And, by doing so, the contributions of each of us will build a better society for all of us."
He went on: "That would mean young people being expected to contribute at least 50 hours of community service by the time they have reached the age of 19.
What's everyone's thoughts on this? Is it more state intervention in the private lives of citizens, bossing people around telling them what is and what isn't good for them?
I don't see how this will work when the government fails to prevent 55,000 British pupils from truanting each day from school.
Some men aren't looking for anything logical, like money.
They can't be bought, bullied, reasoned or negotiated with.
Some men just want to watch the world burn.
Ugh, it's like conscription all over again.
This will not stop children truanting, this will just make teens more unruly.
Also, isn't the main point about voluntary work that it's voluntary, not forced?
Last edited by Katiecakes. : 13-04-2009 at 08:25 PM.
Reason: adding something :)
"From seeing the worst to loving the strongest; People grow over time."
What moral right do the government have to demand that children work, unpaid, "pro bono publico"?
And I can't speak for anyone else but when I was 18 (admittedly only 2 years ago) I had quite a negative attitude towards society as a whole, and probably would have vandalised whatever it was they'd made me do.
I hate that it's come to this but yeah I think it probably would be a good idea but it would have to be started and encouraged from quite young because if you just get a random teenager for example than most of them will just tell you to piss off if you try to 'force' them to do this..
You're entirely bonkers. But I'll tell you a secret. All the best people are.
I can't believe this will do any good, forcing teens to do this kind of thing. I do a general minimum of 9 voluntary hours with various groups a week, and what I do is really positive, for me and the people I help, but I think forcing someone to do it, they're gonna get nothing out of it, and might cause a negative attitude towards the community.
Plain "community service" isn't so bad. I watch the indoctrination that goes along with it though. When they want to slip in the sex ed, political ed, historical ed, "greed ed" then its poisoned.
I hate that it's come to this but yeah I think it probably would be a good idea but it would have to be started and encouraged from quite young because if you just get a random teenager for example than most of them will just tell you to piss off if you try to 'force' them to do this..
Yes, you have to slowly brainwash them from childhood in order to get them to do mandatory service for the state. You have to get them while their minds are mush and they can't forumulate their own ideas.
This is an opportunity to encourage teenagers to do something for others and to take part in helping their community, hopefully that would teach them something good. I don't see the point in arguing it's 'forcing' teenagers to do something, what if this was included as a course during school, would that make it more palatable?
18.11 28.4 6.5 22.31
My heart just needs his smile, that i can't forget, like so melancholy a kiss.
This is an opportunity to encourage teenagers to do something for others and to take part in helping their community, hopefully that would teach them something good. I don't see the point in arguing it's 'forcing' teenagers to do something, what if this was included as a course during school, would that make it more palatable?
Children are forced into school because they need a base of knowledge to survive in society.
But to steal their labour from them would be illegal and immoral.
I understand the thinking behind it - try to give these kids a sense of pride in their communities and the things they can achieve - but I don't know. I'm not sure if it will work (or even actually be implemented).
Unsure if it would work but i love the idea. I am currently volunteering for a charity for disabled children. I love the work so much and i love being able to help a charity that is in need of help.
Community service was the thing that made me realise that i wanted to be a teacher :)
But yeah....i dont think forcing it will do any good.
There are times to stay put, and what you want will come to you.
But there are times to go out into the world and find such a thing for yourself.
I aint no abacus but you can count on me.
Children are forced into school because they need a base of knowledge to survive in society.
But to steal their labour from them would be illegal and immoral.
Children aren't forced into school actually, education is compulsory (as a result of the childrens charter - human rights), school isn't. Steal their labour? I don't think the government are planning to put chains round their ankles and dress them in striped uniforms. I don't see what is illegal or immoral about encouraging teenagers to give something back to their community and to do something for others.
18.11 28.4 6.5 22.31
My heart just needs his smile, that i can't forget, like so melancholy a kiss.
