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.

And that's exactly why this country is how it is. Nobody gives a shit about standing up for it, they just think 'oh I'll go elsewhere'. What do you do when you can't go elsewhere? When you have run out of places to hide?

And what if an evil regime invaded this country put your babies lives at risk

It's complicated. What about Brits abroad who've been screwed over by austerity and Brexit? (Yes, I know Brits in Britain have also been screwed over, the rapidly diminishing number of "I'm all right Jacks" aside.) They might feel more obliged to a country that's welcomed them, but not yet have citizenship, putting them in an awkward or even dangerous position. What about Brits with one foreign born parent, who can be stripped of British nationality on a whim? Hard to argue that they owe much loyalty to the UK. And what if their foreign parent was from a country that the UK was at war with? Interned as enemy aliens, deported?
Even a British subject who wasn't in any of these situations might well feel that the UK isn't so much a country as a company with a toxic culture that's been left in a bad way by the asset strippers. Not much worth dying for in any of that.

P.S. the iconic British patriot Nigel Farage MP is on record as saying that if the UK goes tits up, he'll move to Germany. This may be an example of his legendary hilarious banter or it may reflect the selfish careerism behind everything he's ever done.

P.P.S. the OP's question is of course legitimate as a hypothetical scenario, but there's a hell of a lot of jingoistic fearmongering about in the press and in politics, and we all need to take a step back and evaluate what we're being told and why, rather than instantly turning into Chicken Little. Just saying, not accusing anyone on here.

As a white poppy wearing pacifist I've raised one child who is in cadets and planning to join the army. If the call came tomorrow she'd just be angry that I'd not let her go at 15. She's barely forgiven me for making her do GCSEs and apply to college rather than going to Harrogate and joining at 16.

The other one is an enigma so who knows.

This thread reminds me of the book Prophet song by Paul Lynch, which won the Man Booker prize 2023. It's based in Ireland not UK but shows what happens to a modern western European country when under an oppressive extreme right wing regime. It's written from the perspective of a mother trying to do right by her kids, I'd really recommend it.

All three would volunteer. For the sake of the country, it would probably be better if they didn't go into the armed forces; I can see them doing something like going into the equivalent of Bletchley or developing weapons or something.

People do give a shit, but they're giving a shit in several opposing directions, which creates conflict and stalemate. What do you suggest?

Good grief where do you get that from !

I wonder about this idea of fighting for your country. Surely it depends on what the invaders were offering? If it was a similar life but just different rulers why would you bother to fight?

And what if an evil regime invaded this country put your babies lives at risk

Would they though? Countries need young people to work and produce. Surely they would keep the youth and just kill older people from an economic perspective?

I agree with @BethDuttonYeHaw , @theleafandnotthetree and @Letstheriveranswer .
There is little collective awareness of what a land invasion might look like. It's strange, seeing as it was a distinct possibility here, only some 80-85 years ago, and within living memory of some still living today, including my own UK in-law family members.

The fate of my own family was forever impacted by my country's attempt at 'neutrality' while allowing the shameful through transit of German soldiers into neighboring nations, which led to a direct and devastating consequence for one side of my family, the consequences of which are still felt today, both in practical, material terms and as generational trauma.

When war comes, there is usually no real 'opting out' as seems to be suggested on this thread, just an ugly smörgåsbord of choices you wish you'd never have to make, loss, risk, betrayal, displacement, deprivation, shame, coercion, regret, impotence, fear and suffering.

None. First of all I’d wait for every one of our politicians to send their own children, no excuses.

Does the question apply if Cornwall marches on Exeter?

The thought of the Cornish invaders forcing Devonians to eat scones with the jam on first, crimping their pasties at the side instead of stegosaurus fashion. There would be riots on the streets. 😂

and if the invaders were in your street?

Hopefully neither of them

I haven’t raised my kids to be cannon fodder for old white power hungry men. And this country is not worth anyone dying for.

and if the invaders were in your street?

surrender if that's a realistic option

It's all very well thinking post invasion the new overlords will leave the kids /your kids alone...until they don't:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Service_du_travail_obligatoire#:~:text=France%20was%20the%20third%20largest,or%20involuntarily%2C%20into%20civilian%20workers.

@Dontlletmedownbruce Yes. Prophet Song was a hard read, it made me feel absolutely sick to my stomach.

@notimagain nobody knows it's a possibility. The west have an ageing population and many countries do need young people so it just depends what is being offered imo.

DH & me discussed this last night.

DS1 retired from Royal Navy for 2 years DS2 very recently retired from Royal Marines - both are still in the reserves, they would definitely fight.

I would have to lock (72 year old) DH up to prevent him from making Molotov cocktails or tying a kitchen knife to a broom handle - generally doing whatever he could to repel the invaders.

DS is 9. I don’t know yet what he will be like as an adults. I’d prefer he didn’t go to war unless absolutely necessary

It's a bit late by that point. Just look at how that plays out around the world. By the time the invaders are on your street, there's nothing you can do. Run or surrender are your only realistic options.

@EveSix You make a really valid point. I’m so sorry for your family’s experiences.

I do think that the majority of British people ascribe themselves a bravery that we just don’t have anymore (or perhaps it’s stoicism). I think most would run, if they could.

I dunno but my DS is a very sensitive boy and DD is a menace so my money is on her.

I think someone had a big night last night

Tell your children to go live in a field for a week, no phone, internet, living off tin food and shitting in a hole they dug.

see which one lasts the full week