Ethics Kid: %&*($%^#@

20091129

%&*($%^#@

Shrug. My dad's been taking to me about what i'm gonna do with my life. I know, I know Dad, You guys aren't always gonna be around to drive me places and whatever - but I'm a KID. I mean, sure, i'll be graduating, and i'll be going to school and getting a job - but just let me enjoy these last few months of being a kid!! Don't nag nag nag. and don't get grandpa to do it for you guys. jeez.

1 comment:

JMSDecember 3, 2009 at 2:39 PM
Sounds a bit familiar. My wife and I have been hounding our son who is a senior in high school to finish up his common application and begin applying to colleges. He keeps saying that he just wants to enjoy his senior year, but I think it has to do with a certain fear that he will soon have to leave the nest. I'm sure we have been coming off as nagging parents!
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About the Author

Well, obviously, this was not written by a teenage boy, it was written by a 22 year old college girl. I tried to break away from my usual writing style, to try and get into the character a little bit, but I'm not sure how successful I was.

I wanted write from Brad's perspective because it is one that I never had to experience. Women don't have to fill out the selective service card, and though my older brother did, I don't really remember it being something discussed or mulled over. Over Thanksgiving break, I spoke with my parents about their experiences with the draft and with selective service. My father comes from a unique situation that, if his number had been drawn, he would have been able to claim conscientious objectors' status, having attended a Quaker boarding school for 10th, 11th, and 12th grade.

My personal factors are numerous. I have experienced violence myself, as a child, an adolescent, as a teenager, and as a college student, both here and abroad in Tanzania. I won't go into more detail than that.

My great uncle and both grandfathers served in the military, and my great uncle was killed, shot down over Italy during WWII. His brother, my grandfather, served in the South Pacific, though never saw action. My mother's father, my other grandfather, served as a cook in the National Guard. Two of my cousins (brothers) on my mother's side are serving in the military, the Marines and the Army.

As distasteful as violence is, I recognize that it is necessary. Self defense skills were something that I lacked when I was younger, and have since used to defend myself. I have made sure that my younger sisters are educated in self defense. Does that count as a just war? I don't think so. But it is an allowance of violence that I am comfortable to have remain. Nonviolence only works if you don't mind getting hurt - something I am not willing to endure - and other should not experience what I have had to.

I could have argued that violence is wrong in all situations, but I would have to call myself a hypocrite. I struggle to write this piece because I never had to struggle with these things. I've chosen to think about them, but as far as the way the current selective service program is set up, I don't need to confront these issues unless I willfully take part in them. Most young men, however have to face this at a young age - an age that young adults aren't allowed to drink alcohol they are faced with the prospect (distant as it may be) that they potentially could have to fight in a war. I consider that a flawed system. I don't have a solution, all I have is my opinion on the entire issue.

Ethics Kid

20091129

%&*($%^#@

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