The United Kingdom and many other countries around the world no longer have compulsory National Service. But with the rising crime, unemployment and youths causing disruption on our streets day and night, is there a call amongst the public to bring it back?

Unemployment is high in the UK and the difficulty in obtaining jobs for our youths is leaving many depressed and demoralised. For a few it is the perfect opportunity in which to “excuse themselves” into a life of crime. Even if crime does not pay in the long run, the passing of time in which to cause mischief and trouble for people, especially the frail and elderly, has become part of today’s innercity youth culture.

So what do we do about it as a society? “Education” in this country in a way has failed. Whether educating our children through parenting and installing rules and discipline or whether through the school education system, the message to kids is failing in certain areas. That message is that you should never do harm or cause trouble for anyone. To stay away from drugs, avoid alcohol and avoid crime. It is all about respect for our fellow human being, whatever their race or religion, age or status.

Colleges are full to the brim and too many kids are dropping out of school. Jobs just do not exist and even support networks such as Connexions is struggling to cope. What employment is out there is limited and wages are poor against the cost of living.

So there are just a few reasons why the psyche of a young person’s mind may feel demoralised or twisted to turn to crime or cause trouble.

Do we blame the governments? Much has been taken away from parents with regards to how we discipline children (and I am not suggesting for one moment we are no longer allowed to beat them) and the education system in installing respect and discipline. No longer are children disciplined in the way they were two decades or more ago. And no doubt some readers will frown for mentioning this. However stop and take a look around you and tell me if the children today are more respectful than they were 30 or 30 years and more ago? There are many who do show respect and courtesy but chances are many won’t be able to honestly hold their hands up and state they are…

No single thing is to blame. It is a collective effort that has somehow failed for a few. So I am not pointing the finger at anyone , apart from mentioning the government. It is all down to economics, education and lack thereof with both. There is limited money around. The governments are claiming they are holding back on spending and many resources and services are struggling to cope. Just look no further than the rising concern for lack of equipment for troops posted out in war torn parts of the world such as Afghanistan and Iraq. It is simply shocking when money and penny-pinching is part of the cause for some deaths.

So what do we do to curb the rising crime, drink problems, lack of discipline and drug fuelled culture of our youth?

Well perhaps the governments “find” the money from somewhere to bring back National Service. Now this will raise issues with many people by stating this. But the resources and support should be in place to make sure that our troops that are already committed to their chosen job are well equipped. That is our very first priority to protect our already in place armed forces with the correct and most up to date equipment.

As for a national service this could be an option that could solve many issues. The first, should the funds be made available and this may cost the tax payer-you and I-a penny or two to fund, would ”take” thousands of kids off the street who are already feeling dejected and demoralised and who may be tempted to lose themselves in drink, drugs or crime…or all three.

Now this would only happen if after 6 months of leaving college or school a young person was unable to secure suitable employment or remain in the education system.

It would also cure unemployment for kids between the ages of 18 and 20.

It would also install discipline and respect into our youth.

It would also teach them a career or skill. As we know there are many trades to be gained in our armed forces and the teachers are some of the best in the world.

It would get our kids back into fitness and away from computer games and the street.

It would also mean many would leave after two years with a further education and a more mature outlook on their futures.

Now the argument is this: Apart from money to make this happen, do we send these boys or girls out to war torn countries after basic training? I would say that is a debatable question in itself. In actual fact the people who would be normally chosen for that are those who willingly signed up for the army in the first place! So how would that stand with those “forced” into the armed forces?

There is an argument that anyone in the army should not be chosen just by the process in which they joined the armed forces.

No one really wants to see our troops out there in these places, whether their cause in doing so is justified or not. Whatever our views on the politics behind it, men and women are putting their lives in danger day in and day out.

But as you the reader of this article it would be interesting to hear your views on bringing back National Service and if this is a valid enough reason in aiding our rising unemployment and installing respect into our younger generation.

If not National Service, what about a Boot Camp for kids whilst in education? Anything that would help teach our younger generation better respect and have a fighting chance of a better future.

But of the governments brought this law back, what will that say about us as a society? Are we underestimating our children and their ability to grasp respect? Would we be going backwards in our thinking instead of forwards? Would this have repercussions for our children?

I look forward to your views on this, whether for or opposed or sitting on the fence. It seems a simple solution. But as we all know life is never simple.

So please post your comments if you would be so kind.