Which of your children would take up arms if need be to defend their country

I’d rather than sent me to the front lines that a young person with their life ahead of them, but I’m aware it doesn’t work like that.

Why doesn't it work like that though? Particularly if it's just canon fodder.

My dd is a genuine pacifist- she has become a Quaker by convincement (that’s what they call it) - so she definitely wouldn’t take up arms, but she’d want to do something to be of service.

My DS is only 11 so I don’t know what he’d do if an adult. Of course he may not have a choice.

I’d rather than sent me to the front lines that a young person with their life ahead of them, but I’m aware it doesn’t work like that. I’d also want to do what I could in the event of war - I’m sure they’d find something for me!

Same here.

You're right, that is why the country is how it is but you're missing the point. If my children lived in a country that offered them the things I mentioned I would encourage them to fight for it, I'd fight with them. Currently they have nothing worth fighting for.

@CautiousLurker01

Well if by "we're" you mean the UK that's true but there are contributers here not on "an island"

Anyone who thinks the UK (despite being an island) or anywhere else for that matter could be defended almost without spilling a drop of blood simply by using "cyber" or "drones" is kidding themselves.

We’re an island…

Already have a son in the RAF…

Why? We have loads of family members in the military and many agree.b

My husband's brother died trying to defend his city. He was 15. It was during the siege of Sarajevo. The family has never recovered.

I note you are talking about your children going and not your precious self.
I would move my kids and myself to somewhere neutral and let the madmen causing this blow each other to fucking bits.

Less remembering of the sacrifices people made to keep us free might indeed make people today less inclined to think their country is worth protecting. In Finland Independence Day is pretty much all about remembering those who fought the Russians (and later Germans), a solemn affair with wreath laying at cemeteries across the country, school children have flag raising ceremonies and stand as an honour guard at the cemetry the day before, the Unknown Soldier film is on tv every year, and then there's other days to specifically remember the fallen, honour the defence force, things like that. It runs a deep line through society.

My kids are too young and one severe LD anyway. Absolutely not. I wouldn't let them. Certainly not to defend Israel either if that is what is being suggested.

My son is integrated with children from lots of different nationalities and heritages, so wars based on racial or religious ideology seem like madness to him. Sorry to disappoint. I think you will find most young people these days are smarter and more compassionate than the dick swinging morons we have running much of the world now. You will have a hard job convincing them.

This is so interesting

As is the thread (thanks OP!). I also wonder about the links - increasingly weakening - between social activities to honour people who fought for our country and freedom, Remembrance Day, and reduced willingness to fight for our country in future.

Without the homes, don't expect the heroes.

Oh well said.

A reality show where they have to build houses to the same plan and see which team of 3 or 4 people (how many it took) built theirs fastest? I'd watch that.

The UK having nukes makes this question pretty irrelevant.

I am mildly surprised this hasn't been turned into a reality show. Maybe you could have a tie-in with the US version about competing for a green card ?

The very best student I ever had was a Finn. I hope your fine young people don't ever end up as cannon fodder and I salute your morale.

And the last time Finns fought to defend our country, they were rewarded on their return with plots of land to build homes on (from prefabricated parts to the same basic plan so there are similar houses in every town in Finland called front line man homes - I live in one) so there's reason to believe the government won't be ungrateful.

Some really interesting points coming up here linking home ownership and investment in the nation’s future.

Much as the Romans settled their retired soldiers with grants of lands in invaded countries to solidify the occupation (see upthread). And they didn't invent the idea.

I doubt the all the Ukrainians thought their country was perfect but many still defend their country. This isn’t jingoistic it is simply the only option sometimes.

It helps to have a threat on your doorstep to develop a national sense of solidarity - willingness to defend Finland is very high amongst all groups. Also helps to have a society which isn't quite as unequal as the UK (though Finland is getting more and more unequal sadly) so everyone feels they have a stake in their country.

If there was an invasion by land air and sea and it’s existential all of us. Theres one or two I wouldn’t entirely trust with a gun and I’m not sure what I could do but everyone would pitch in. I don’t think there would be many other options really.