Let’s have compulsory national service for 65 year olds

[Barleypilaf]

So, if it’s a good idea to press-gang 18 year olds into national service, why don’t we do the same for those getting their pension? Everyone in the first year of pension should spend at least one weekend per month doing volunteering in their community. It would help to build community spirit, help the NHS and improve people’s fitness.

I'm pissed off already this morning with the comments everywhere about how vile 'boomers' are and how we all deserve to be forced into things 'we' all approve of for young people.

Apparently, we all vote tory, own massive houses, have huge pensions, and hate people younger and poorer.
It's very bloody galling and bollocks.

The majority of people I know in our age group are far from this horrible and offensive stereotype

Yes, good idea. I (73) will just fit it in round doing the church flowers / cleaning roster, looking after neighbours garden when she’s away on business, preparing my quite extensive exhibit for the local history society annual exhibition, writing the gardening column for the local newsletter, actively supporting two major academic foundations ( can’t specify, outing).

DH (78) might have to stop running the residents’ association, organising the road crew, organising the publicity campaign for the local green space preservation and liaising with the corporate donors. I’m sure OP has some much more useful ideas for him .

Oh by the way, will OP be paying expenses? Because at the moment we are self funding ( and contributing financially when required).

I think you will find most do! Except it's more and during the week. Most charities, orgs like food banks would collapse without pensionable age volunteers. In fact the rise in pension age is causing issues

This. Every time. Divide and conquer..

Exactly. Anyone who thinks compulsory national service for 18 year olds is a great idea should be prepared to do it themselves. If not, it is pure ageism.

I don't know many 65 year olds who have actually stopped working. But of those that have, yes, most are still doing some sort of unpaid work to keep busy.

Don’t 18 year olds? 🙄

State pension age is 66 and 3 months and rising to 67.

If you are the type of person who does volunteer you probably do it all your life.
They probably do more volunteering when they retire.

Why do you assume 65 year olds believe in National Service?
Why do you assume they aren't working?

This.

As pp said, lots of retired people do this anyway. Others are caring for grand children or disabled relatives.

Plenty of over 60s think the National Service idea is ridiculous. It won't happen anyway.

I don't know why Sunk is even bothering. He might as well just hand Starmer the keys to No. 10.

i want to know! (Genuinely). Why would it never happen again and why was the US first to abolish it?

Completely agree - lots of 18 year olds work & volunteer but are expected to do NS and so should the retired ( lots don’t volunteer at present so they should do their bit for the country!)

Bizarre ageism on mumsnet

That is such a shitty, ageist thing to say
What is wrong with you?

Not at 65, they don't. Do you want 65 year olds who are still working, to give up their only free time?

were it not for the pensioners many organisations would not function, they give their time and are reliable. Unfortunately they don't have mummsies who want to be able to wipe their noses every five minutes, the sort who think no-one is an adult before 25 and should be tied to the apron strings forever.

As much as I want 18 year olds to give up their jobs!

That's probably why nobody does.

Do you think people on benefits should be forced to do it? (Because you're very vocal on other threads about how the country cannot afford to continuing paying them, aren't you?)

And the disabled? (Because you are the poster complaining about parents suddenly deciding their children have autism and ASD to (I'm quoting you here) "have access to more money", aren't you?

There is also another scandal about ADHD and ASD kids as the diagnosis criteria has widened so much so that it’s frankly not difficult to get diagnosed and suddenly access to lots of extra money. The country cannot afford it no apologies for quoting you.

Word to the not so wise. If you're going to wind us up and watch us go, you're going to have to do much better.

Unless if course you do genuinely hate the unemployed, parents of children with disabilities, the children themselves and those over retirement age.

Which is it?

This poster forgets that agism is allowed on MN only when it's Bash a Boomer week.

How on Earth do you work that one out? There’s a GE coming up which is looking pretty desperate for the Conservatives. Over 40% of their vote comes from over 65s. They are set to lose some of those to Reform. Rightly or wrongly, they believe that this is a vote winner and will win back the support they fear losing. Of course it’s political.

🎶Here on Mumsnet, every week is Bash a Boomer week!🎶😃

Let’s focus on what binds us together on a society, there is a lot. Most people want a better life for their children and grandchildren. Some don’t realise what life is like for some sections of society because they are outside of their experience and there is constant media manipulation to alter people’s opinions.

My stepmother is mid 70s and has had enough now. She’s going to vote Labour this time instead of Conservative as she can see what effect the last 14 years have had on younger people. She said she feels like not voting at all but thinks it is important. She was talking to my Dad’s friend recently who is also thinking of voting Labour for the first time in his life. My Dad has sadly died now and was very Tory but I think the last few years would have been a step too far for him.

Yes there are a section of that demographic who are leaning to reform but for everyone of them there is another who is massively pissed off. Coming out with things like this thread (though I understand why you have posted ) isn’t going to help. You will put people’s backs up and fuel the division further and do the opposite of what you are trying to do.

Ew. Thanks for the intel on the OP.

Those already doing [more than] enough wouldn't need to do any more, just make sure they do it on one weekend per month as the young people will be required to do.

I don’t get why it’s ageism to suggest it for pensioners but not when you suggest it for teenagers?
‘why shouldn’t over 65s in good health, without jobs or caring responsibilities, be required to make a voluntary contribution? Why is that wrong?