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.

“Still fixated on the military and ignoring the other aspect, I'm sorry you struggle with reading comprehension”

Oh dear, @Jessie21 . That old chestnut. I’ve politely answered your point re. the other aspect, the “voluntary” element. Still, you refuse to reply to my question so resort to insult.

You are very keen to advocate military service for others. Have you undertaken it yourself? Yes or no?

No, you haven't. You've related it back to the military.

You're unable to discuss this because you're very emotionally attached to the topic.

I can’t retire till I am 67 - already have arthritis in my 50’s

it is a stupid idea for 18 year olds and making an equally stupid idea for pensioners doesn’t make it better

@ilovesooty do you dispute that the Tory policies across the last 14 years haven't adversely affected certain socioeconomic groups more than others?

Rocknrollstar,you and me both,I'm in my 70s, I provide childcare, have done for 30 years, while working ft nights as well,till I was 65. I also volunteer for parish and local authority, and my DH (who had to give up work owing to injury,also does plus litter picking. I've also shopping for elderly neighbours, collecting scripts, taking them to hospital and GP appointments,DH cleans their gutters, helping with gardening, while having 2 dogs of our own,one a border collie puppy, and 200 foot of garden.

@ilovesooty
"a certain economic class"?

What would that be then?”

Anyone but Jessie’s, presumably.

Oh, yes,also looked after terminally ill parents, working ft nights and having a 9 year old.

If you're unable to engage in adult, nuanced conversation about this then fine.

Jessie21
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You're unable to discuss this because you're very emotionally attached to the topic.”

Well that’s news to me, Jessie 😁

It really is very simple. Expecting the young generation to sign up for national service in any way, shape or form, be that military, litter picking, whatever, that neither you nor I have been expected to participate in during our lifetimes is fundamentally unjust.

Young people have been well and truly stitched up by this government. Their futures look a damned sight bleaker than yours or mine did at their ages and to expect them to freely give their time to a country that seems to care little for them in return borders on the obscene.

If you really can’t see that, I feel sorry for you.

Good day.

People are saying a lot retired people do volunteer. I wouldn't disagree, I see a lot in our community doing this. I also see a lots of young people volunteering.

If this was an opportunity that everyone was entitled to, with people having the option to join organised schemes it might be seen as a good thing but why make it compulsory? It's presenting it as an obligation rather than a benefit/ opportunity.

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Jessie21

If you're unable to engage in adult, nuanced conversation about this then fine”

I haven’t seen any. Just a load of nonsense about how marvellous national service would be, for other people. I disagree with you. It’s permitted.

Because, quite frankly, the vast majority of teenagers are dickheads these days.

They need something that gets them into society, working towards something and gives them valuable skills.

Discussing commitments individual's have at 65 is irrelevant, what people choose to do right now or have do right now is their own business. If the suggestion is serious and the OP's idea were to be adopted the specific details would be important. I just think its not worth discussing.

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Because, quite frankly, the vast majority of teenagers are dickheads these days”

Ah, now we see you.

Off you go and register your Reform UK postal vote.

I'm 25. Voting for labour (or Lib Dem's, dependant on what gets the tories out in my constituency).

But I also feel that teenagers these days have become pretty much feral

Insulting teenagers is "adult, nuanced conversation" is it @Jessie21 ?

What a fantastic post! I do worry about the young people in this country especially my children's wellbeing. The future looks really bleak for them so why make it worse.

Calling the vast majority of teenagers dickheads doesn't look like adult nuanced conversation to me.

The 'we' that is a generation have widely difference experiences though, don't they? Growing up in a mining town in the 80s, with 90% of your class mates leaving school at 16, girls into service jobs, boys down the pit until...oh wait...what pit? wasn't having it that good tbh. My millenial and gen Z children have enjoyed far better opportunities, conditions and life chances. Its not the generation you are born into that's the source of inequality, its the social class and wealth bracket.

If you don't want to see it, because you don't see it in your own children, fine.

I don't have children of my own, but I see loads of teenagers every day. They are not "feral". Most of them are decent, polite people.

@Jessie21,

Because, quite frankly, the vast majority of teenagers are dickheads these days.

Not my experience. What is my experience is how much the mass media stereotype and demonise sectors of society. It is purposely divisive. Don't fall into the trap of believing and perpetuating their rhetoric.

I think the vast majority of retired people are dickheads and I've got one living next door. He stays at home all day twiddling his thumbs complaining about the neighbour's parking. National service will be great for his boredom!

I'm 25. Voting for labour (or Lib Dem's, dependant on what gets the tories out in my constituency).
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But I also feel that teenagers these days have become pretty much feral”

So, as I said, this policy won’t affect you.
We have known countless teenagers, none of them “feral”, over decades and decades.

That would be my brother, in the 1970s. From a decent home but a violent arsehole. . There have always been and will always be despicable humans, of all ages.

Please don’t make sweeping generalisations. It’s insulting to the millions of decent, hard working youngsters out there doing their utmost to live good lives in the face of the adversity that’s been thrown at them over the past several years. Much of it to “save” the very generation that is now advocating that they became the latest cannon fodder. Again, borders on the obscene.

How are 65 year olds supposed to fit it in around working full time? We don't get our pension till 67 so have to keep on working till then. It would just about kill me to work full time and then have to do compulsory voluntary work at weekends, I need weekends to do housework, jobs and recharge for the working week, not easy at 65. If I have to do national service at 65, will my employer keep my job open so I can go back after 6 months and continue till age 67? Not every 65 year old is retired with a big private pension pot