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Young People Must Have a Right to Choose When It Comes to Military

Argumentative Essay

By Natalie G.Published 6 years ago 3 min read
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If many of you did not know, many youngsters when they finish high school are forced into the military for two years, and wasting precious time they could be spending on their studies and Uni. Why should boys at the age of 17, 18 and 19 have no other choice but to follow this protocol of their country? When girls finish high school, their next step is to go to college, while boys are stuck for one or two years in the army in order to finish and legally leave the country and study abroad.

On the 20th of July 1974 there was a Turkish military invasion of the island country of Cyprus, my hometown, and the Turks took almost half of the island. We have been under their invasion ever since and for so many years we cannot reach an agreement in order for us to have our country back. As a result, boys were forced for decades to be in the army for two years, in case a war or another invasion ever broke out again. However, the Council of Ministers decided on February 25, 2017 to cut the military service and now they attend the army for only 14 months.

Unfortunately, people remain unhappy. In general, the military shouldn't pressure youngsters into something they are incapable of doing or do no want to do. People with a disability, for instance, struggle daily if they are not released from the responsibility of being in the army, and instead have to be in the kitchen for hours, in the heat preparing food for the rest. Moreover, overweight people are pressured into doing exercises they are incapable of doing, and as a result have more health problems to deal with in the process. Why should discipline be above humanity? In addition, homosexuals are equally forced into the military having to deal with bullying everyday, and are isolated from everyone as a result of having to deal with conservative people that are not yet accepting of homosexuality. They have to deal with this their whole lives, why should they be stuck in a place where they know they won't be accepted and instead being uncomfortable most of their time there. At that point of their life they just give up and decide that nothing is worth it as they're just forced to do something that only wastes their life but also wastes their energy.

On the other hand, some people believe in mandatory military service because they see commitment to your country as a very strong suit, as boys become more responsible, mature and they give back to their nation that has been their home for their entire childhood and young adult life. They see it as being thankful to their country of birth, and giving back to the nation that is protecting them. Thus, youngsters give back to their country but also acquire new skills, knowledge and discipline. But should they be pressured into giving back to their country, or should it be a choice? Consent is so important today in our society but when it comes to such a topic everyone ignores that belief.

I personally believe that in the 21st century we should be progressing daily instead of being held back by traditions. Youngsters should be free to do as they choose and having the freedom to speak up about what they want instead of being forced into something they wouldn't do under other circumstances. We promote the freedom of speech daily, yet we do not listen to the boys wishes and demands. Why should we pretend to like freedom, when we keep teenagers behind bars forcing them to undergo sleepless nights and days?

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About the Creator

Natalie G.

Instagram: _nataliesenses_

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