CreateDebate is a social debate community built around ideas, discussion and democracy.
If this is your first time checking out a debate, here are some quick tips to help get you started:
Arguments with the highest score are displayed first.
Argument replies (both in favor and in opposition) are displayed below the original argument.
To follow along, you may find it helpful to show and hide the replies displayed below each argument.
To vote for an argument, use these icons:
You have the power to cast exactly one vote (either up or down) for each argument.
Once you vote, the icon will become grayed out and the argument's score will change.
Yes, you can change your vote.
Debate scores, side scores and tag scores are automatically calculated by an algorithm that primarily takes argument scores into account.
All scores are updated in real-time.
To learn more about the CreateDebate scoring system, check out the FAQ.
When you are ready to voice your opinion, use the Add Argument button to create an argument.
If you would like to address an existing argument, use the Support and Dispute link within that argument to create a new reply.
I would have to assume we're talking about high schools here?
Yes. Most of the people who would be exposed to the recruiters would be minors. And the recruiting process is by definition, whether you agree with it or not, basically political propaganda. You can't just go forcing it on people's kids while they're away from home with their parents not present.
(If we're talking about colleges/universities I'll change my vote to no, once you go off to college you should be able to take care of yourself and make informed decisions semi-properly)
I agree. The parents should be present because often times the children will just make a decision based on the things they see right now, not what will actually happen in the future. I also agree that they should be able to go to colleges or universities and talk to people that are atleast 18.
Don't you think this is a bit of a double standard? We expose children to all sorts of career paths in high school. Some are dangerous (welding, construction) others are not... but why target the military specifically?
Yeah. I was thinking of that. I believe the same way with them as I do for the military. The companies usually wear really nice clothes, bring cool gadgets, and drive really nice cars to make it seem as though the children are guaranteed to have that type of lifestyle.
I agree with you that this aspect of advertising is misleading, but don't you think the parents will talk with their kids about this? Plus it isn't specific to the military, which was the point of this debate.
I just told you my views on any type of recruiting in schools. The parents can tell the kids, but do you believe the kids will actually overlook those things and just make a decision based on what they've heard and witnessed? For a decision that will affect the rest of your life I believe kids should talk it over with their parents.
It's not just some "career fair" where some guy comes and tells you about what a great career opportuinity it is to work at his car dealership or something... it's the government coming in to the school and specifically targetting kids for military service as soon as they graduate. Which is a hell of a lot more serious thing than putting in a job application in the private sector. For one thing, I know of very few private sector companies that will throw you in prison if you change your mind about working for them and walk away. And I know of just about as many where working for them almost guarantees you're going to get shot at. Having the government specifically target minors with that particular sales pitch without parental consent is WAY over the line.
"For one thing, I know of very few private sector companies that will throw you in prison if you change your mind about working for them and walk away."
"And I know of just about as many where working for them almost guarantees you're going to get shot at."
Those are two good points, but I would suggest that the first point is a good argument for why young men should be able to have a free pass at quitting their employment in military.
The second point depends on where you work, your position, times of war, etc. It's definitely not a guarantee.
Where should the military recruit then if not at high schools? A better question might be, where can we expect to find young, able-bodied men and women who would want to join, in number?
I remember when I was in high school army recruiters would show up offering bags and hats to anyone who signs up for information on the military. They would often bring something flashy too, like a racecar, and park it deliberately afront the exits. Its a mind game. "Hey, do you want useless consumerist crap? Just remember...
No. I think they should be able to recruit in schools, but only ivy league schools.
And there should also be a law that says that a congressman looses his vote on weather to go or not go to war unless one of his child is serving on ground.
Well I think war has gotten to be taken a little to lightly these days.
It would serve as a great deterrent for people in high office if when they decide to kill a bunch of fathers mothers and children in another country for some reason, that they would have to be so sure about their reasoning that they would actually be willing to send their children or friends of their children.
Not that I would like to see anybody in harms way.
No matter what country we live in, the simple fact remains that a military is necessary to ensure defence, civil support, and peacekeeping.
It is also true that some of us at school-age may benefit from knowing about a military option for employment. Not all of us are the same in this respect, we have our doctors, lawyers, artists, and so on but some of us find meaning in military discipline.
I think this debate spawned from how unpopular war is right now, but we must remember that that doesn't negate the military's necessity.
Then make the pitch to provide that service to adults who are in a better position to make a properly informed decision, or with the permission of a kids parents.
Absolutely not! Kids need to know what options they have - the armed forces offer a wide variety of skills to a great diversity of people. The military gives benefits, teaches necessary skills, pays well, teaches such things as camaraderie and faithfulness. If I had the option, I'd join the Navy in a New York Minute.
I disagree with the pays well statement. I know many military personnel and the only reason why they can support their family is because they don't have to pay for housing, electricity, or water. If they were forced to live in civilian housing, then they couldn't afford it. When people are hurt in the military they get a disability check, but often times it doesn't amount to what they would have made. One man is only getting paid $30,000 per year for a family of 5. I think he is divorced and can't rely on his wife's income.
You are taking one example, probably from a newspaper article. Do you know how much truth is in a newspaper article? They are designed to appeal to your emotions - that is the precise reason I've spent years attempting to rid myself of those emotions. They tell you that he was wounded on a dangerous mission, defied all odds to survive, that he has a wife and three young innocent children, and then they say that the mean military/government won't give him a dime more than $30,000 per year. Did they leave something out? Does he get any type of disability compensation, which could make up for his loss in wages? Does his wife work? Are they wealthy? These are the important questions that the newspaper always ignores.
He was shot in the head and suffers from PTSD. The $30,000 per year is his disability. He and his wife are divorced so he can't rely on her income. It was a documentary on Pbs.
You still do not know if they omitted any facts. Often, such documentaries are created to appeal to the viewer's emotions. The documentary would have little efficacy if one of my examples were true.
No, they should not. It's for a simple manner. In the US the military offers many benefits to students regarding post-secondary education. By recruiting in high schools the military is able to reach people that would want to join the military. Recruiting is not the only step to joining the military either; the recruited still has to meet up with military officials in order to sign documents; this is where a worried parent can intervene.
A second argument is that schools provide an abundant resource for able bodied individuals that can be very useful to the military. By barring recruitment at schools you are cutting the military at its knees in regards to recruiting ability; an ability that is vital to national security.
