To bring back national service?

[Joogle]

I don't mean in the military sense, more something along the lines of community work. I know in Norway they have compulsory national servicewhich does involve military service but the option of non-militray service as well.

I just feel with the recent riots something needs to be done to stop a bored generation within a doom and gloom era feeling alienated from the rest of the population and that working within their local community therefore feeling more part of it and giving them a wider sense of social responsibility could be the answer, AIBU?

usualsuspect - I didn't say services. Work done in the community could involve apprenticeships

National service can be in armed forces OR community service.
Yes- it's a good idea.

Seems to work OK in Singapore.

but it wouldn't though ,and while they are litter picking and volunteering in old peoples homes what happens to the people who actually get paid to do these jobs?

Community service being:
Apprenticeships or Voluntary work

Were you planning some sort of military discipline for the community service bit? A sort of flower planting chain gang?

Ok that's tongue-in-cheek, but surely the discipline side had an effect on previous generations (not that I'm advocating a military solution either)

usualsuspect - I think there is a huge shortage of people doing community work and there is a real need for it

The people who get paid to do the jobs would ... Still do them?

MardyBra - I don't really know but I think something has to be done to make young people more socially aware and I feel they could learn a lot through this kind of national service, although perhaps that is not the right name for it.

Would you pay them? How much? Where would they live?

Something had to be done, that much is clear.

Like I said earlier though Joogle - the "problem" young people haven't been going to school, so who is going to make them turn up to do all this volunteering etc now? And how? You need to be sorting this problem out when they are 5, not 15

We have the most highly qualified unemployed across the EU, so i don't think that qualifications are always the answer.

The supervision of the groups would cost more than actually creating jobs and would cause unemployment.

If the 'community' and voluntary work needs doing, why not create employment.

more money being put into communities to help support families that are struggling, to not have our teenagers constantly put down in the press, for teenagers to have something to do youth and community centres be funded, to see the good in all young people and to understand if they are doing something wrong why and look at the reasons why and to try and fix those problems not just ignore them

its money, hard work, understanding and time, it takes all these to invest in people to make changes for the future

AmeriCorps has had some good results.

I think the problem is more widespread than the 'problem' pockets we have seen over the last few days, these are just an extreme example. I think it needs to be a national approach rather than just targeting certain areas

National Service in the military would not work, regular service personnel would NOT want to work alongside conscripts.

Yes there are a lot of problems with young people, but I don't see this as a viable solution.

FreudianSlipper - Pouring money into a situation can only do so much, a shift in attitudes needs to take place, people need to feel part of society rather than charity cases.

GingerWrath - No I don't think military service would work either

What about all the lovely, law abiding kids (the vast majority), who are going to university, college or into employment, who are not in gangs and who don't break the law?
I'm divorced and since then have lived on benefits on and off. My son has just sat his standard grades which he passed with flying colours, and works hard at school.
We're in danger here, because of these yobs, of tarring every teen with the same brush.
My son does not need any kind of community service, thank you very much.

yes i know that is why i also said hard work, understanding and time i agree it is not about throwing money at a group of people expecting there to be a quick fix

No conscription in Germany any more.

You had to do that or work in a Kindergarten/hospital, some sort of community work.

I think that girls were always exempt.

It´s currently "suspended" but could be brought back.

LadyBeagleEyes - I don't mean it to be seen as a punishment. I think everybody could benefit, short & long term, by gaining a wider social understanding from working within the community for a year

OP putting money into community based and wider programmes for younger DC's, does change attitudes. But they need something to aim for,those living in London will never own their own home, there is very little employment about. For those DC's that have been victims of the gang culture (all types) we need a range of services in place (counselling, re-education). But what does Cameron think, oh yes, cut public spending. What is needed costs money.