How do you feel about this for National Service/Conscription?

[monrymeadows73]

A lot of European countries, most notably Germany are moving towards the reintroduction of conscription. Right now, Germany has introduced a volunteer system, whereby all men born in 2008, who will turn 18 in 2026, have to undergo an assessment to test for their fitness for military service with the intention of incentivising German men to join the German military. However, if there are not enough recruits, then Germany may mandate conscription. But, this is just for men; not women.

In some other European countries, conscription is mandatory for only men; while in others like the Scandinavian countries, women are also obligated to take part in military service.

I know that some may oppose conscription/military service in the UK outright; but if, for whatever reason, it was re-introduced, how would you feel about the following points:

1. Should British women aged 18 and above be forcibly conscripted along with British men; or just British men?
2. Should women have to undergo the same processes in the military like have to have their heads shaved like men do?

I wonder how this fits into feminists' views of equality. Again, before some people start suggesting that they are opposed to conscription for everyone, what I'm asking about is if somehow it was implemented, regardless of how you feel about it, how do you think it should be promoted i.e. for both sexes and both having to undergo the same processes or just for men?

If men have to do it, women should have to do it too. But all forced conscription is wrong.

No and no. But women should be able to volunteers for appropriate roles and learn basic defence, nursing and logistics.

If men have to do it, women should too. Why should women get a free pass? It wouldn't be fair.

No one should have to do it.

Saw a news article about young Germans. They are very very against it.

That isn't going to happen is it. Who would look after all the kids because let's face it it's women. Even if not directly your children it will be other women looking after them. There will always be people that will need to stay behind to run things and exemptions.
With regards to conscription, the thought is horrendous and I don't believe anybody should be forced into war and fighting.

I think you’re slightly confusing conscription with military/ national service. If it’s a defined period of national service then yes I think everyone should do it. If it’s conscription for an ongoing conflict then practicalities have to come into it.

I don't think males and females should be treated differently for things like this. I do think that unless absolutely essential forced conscription is wrong. It seems very easy for those who won't be affected by something like this to suggest it.

x

Its just hair

So females should have their heads shaved in the military too?

Dd is just as much looked after by her dad as by me. Surely many men nowadays parent equally with their partners, who may actually be male or female.

There was already a thread on this.

This.

I believe that men and women should be treated equally, but the idea of middle aged and older politicians deciding to force young people to fight on their behalf is abhorrent.

Well the men don't have to.

Conscription and national service aren’t at all the same thing.

Where we live we have national service, there has never in the history of our country been conscription unlike the UK. About 4% of people who apply for national service (you have to apply for your assessment) actually then go on to do eleven months of national service. The percentage is low to avoid people being crap doing national service as thats both a waste of resources and money.

Offer it but optional for all. Build in life skills and independence. But not compulsary.

Of course women shouldn't be conscripted! This isn't about "equal rights". Because women are more important than men. Women birth the human race, then we provide food and care for an infant. Men are expendable and love wars and fighting. They start the wars, they can fight them.

Women are too important and not stupid enough quite frankly.

What’s the other thread / where please as I’d like to read and can’t find it.

It's here @eurotravel www.mumsnet.com/talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/5455105-to-have-said-that-women-should-be-drafted-equally-to-men

How about female war-mogerers like Thatcher or Indira Ghandi?

Why should women be allowed to be in charge of militaries like by being President of the USA (Commander-in-Chief) or PM if they don't have to serve and can expend men?

I think the British public need to be more resourceful, adaptable and practical in any event, we’ve become a nation of very cosseted soft people with huge entitlement about what we should be given by the state, but bristle in outrage at any suggestion we should give something back. People’s lives are a mess and they take little responsibility for them.

I think some kind of national service (not conscription) would be a great idea, to teach real life skills and steer school leavers away from this slide into benefits. Girls and boys. Could be apprenticeships, could be military, could be technical or catering etc but just SOMETHING to set a standard for a more productive country again which is capable of rising to adverse events.

I’m against forced conscription for both men and women.

Well of course it is, war in itself is abhorrent but do you think being invaded by a country like Russia after rolling over would be less abhorrent? Have you seen how they treat their enemy? The forced genital mutilation, the rape and torture?

Your brand of thinking is very trendy and pie in the sky but utterly fails to deal with the consequences of what you’re actually suggesting.

What's the obsession with head shaving? That's a US thing. It isn't necessary for someone to function as a military member; it is perfectly possible to have regulation hairstyles which are not the same for men and women and which are nevertheless sensible and practical.

NS and conscription are different things