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

[Lardychops]

Ive been thinking about this a lot lately in a thought experiment/abstract way since Ukraine invasion and having lived years ago in Israel where young people do national service from 17 as a matter of course with frequent refreshers- obviously now for them being put to the test .
So, my question is -
In terms of the ‘barbarians at the gates scenario which of your children/neices /nephews /siblings parents would drop everything to defend their country/ city/town/ village and family if they needed to ? And do you think their lifestyle/career path impacts on this?

I have 1DD single mother of 3 - she would have been first in the queue pre kids and if I looked after them she would be first to front line

3x DS - all tradesmen- without hesitation- 1 has a child but a partner - he would be first on the front line after his sister. One of them would be terrified but his pride would make him follow his brothers to protect his family rather than any bigger picture

1xDSD - works in retail -No doubt she would pick up arms and fight to the death.

1xDSD- left Uni-just got back from travelling - nothing in hospitality- no chance.

It would very much depend on the aggressors and why they were there
Nazis /Reform/trumpists- all of them
A "protect our nation" over the Falklands or similar. None of them

Against whom?

To defend out shores... all of them.

To fight a war that has nothing to do with us... over my dead body

@Lardychops You happy with that?

I guess the thought experiment would be an outside aggressor /conquering land attack like the contemporary Ukraine example, or Nazi expansion historically.
Unambiguously Boots on the ground that directly threatened the UK if you will. Not figuratively, but literally.

And by ‘my country’, do you mean Great Britain or the UK or my member country, which is England? Does the question apply if Cornwall marches on Exeter?

Though I think the short answer is that I imagine that anyone they’d protect my country against they’d be prepared to defend any country in Europe against.

Not a fucking chance I'd let any of my family put their hand up if it was up to me.

‘My country’?

That's what I don't understand about all the men coming over on boats. Why are they not staying and fighting for their country

So who would hold the line ?
Defend you and your family and community etc ?
Do you think all the men who flooded to the front line in Ukraine were fools?

what would you have had them do instead?

Genuine question
not goading x

Quite…

Wow. Such morals

I wouldn't give my life for my country, especially if it wasnt a good country to be raised in.
If I'd been born in a bad situation in a dangerous or poverty stricken country I would definitely take the opportunity to find a better life elsewhere if I could.
Especially if that could mean bringing my family to that better and safer life down the line.

Mn having a bad night again.

So if it were 1939 would she and her family be happy to be Nazis?

Fair point but different issue I guess.
Assuning you don’t from what you’ve said
would you take up arms in the country you do live in however to defend it ?
would your children , parents, cousins siblings etc ?

I would have to weigh it up depending on the situation. But I don't think I could morally actually harm "enemy" troops who are likely being sent in without much choice or brainwashed with propaganda and likely not evil people but just regular humans following orders. I would likely try to leave to somewhere safer rather than fight.

My children aren't adults yet, but I doubt they would fight.
Sibling definitely wouldn't, parents wouldn't (especially my dad who is extremely anti conflict and sees both sides of everything). Cousins I'm unsure, a few might if ordered to.

Why would you say that ?
I think given all that’s happening in the world , and with at least 6/7 real world examples where civilians are doing exactly what I’ve hypothosised, this it’s not a ‘MN bad night post’ it’s a reasonable question.

So I ask again seeing as you took the time to reply (Thabks btw) will you and your sons and daughters will just be hunkering down and hoping that someone’s else’s loved ones defend your hypothetical borders or would you pick up arms ?

Protect family, all of us. Fight to the death.

Fight for the country, when hell freezes over....

I wouldn't give my life for any country (either my passport or where I live now) - did we not learn anything about (not) being cannon fodder from the many, many historic and current wars? It's mostly pointless. We paint people as brave because anything else is bad for recruitment.

My translation skills may come in useful for smuggling people across. Maybe I'd be a land girl. Somewhat useful, not cannon fodder.

I left NI when I was a teenager in the early 80s there was no way I wanted to live in the midst of that utter carnage.
I've got grown up children and warmongers will be staying away from them and they agree.

So who would you expect to put themselves in danger to keep your family safe? Or would you just surrender no matter who the aggressor was?

I would try to leave the country. If that wasn't an option I would try to find a non combat role. I absolutely wouldn't be willing to kill people for following their countries orders. The only time I would directly harm someone would be in self defence if they were actively harming me or my family, and I'd do whatever possible to avoid being in that situation.

Wow God help us..
( in the abstract of course)