Madam, - With all the talk and debate about lawlessness, rising crime rates, and anti-social behaviour among young people, I would like to propose what I believe would be an effective antidote to this rising tide of decadence and criminality: conscription.
In many parts of the world, young men are required by law to serve in their country's army. Israel goes one better by calling up women as well.
The advantages of military service for young people are well documented and beyond dispute: a massive boost in self-confidence and increased self-control; the learning of respect and the development of leadership skills. Army service also provides an opportunity to acquire valuable experience and technical skills that could only benefit a conscript.
Countries such as Germany, Finland, Greece, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden have conscription. The required minimum period of military service varies from four to 26 months. The German requirement is nine months, and I suggest this could serve as an ideal model for Ireland.
If any of your readers balk at the idea of "calling up" teenagers to serve in the Army, I ask them to reflect on the kind of society we now have. There is rampant social disorder in our streets and laneways every weekend, and often in the middle of the week, not only in big cities, but in towns and even villages across Ireland.
There is an increasing resort to extreme violence in late-night rows (knives instead of fists). Drug dealers are almost openly peddling and promoting their poisonous filth to teenagers and children.
There is a virtual breakdown of discipline and respect for authority in our school system, with pupils threatening and taunting their teachers. There is wholesale vandalism and a cynical contempt for the elderly and infirm.
Think of a bunch of "hoodie"-clad creeps hanging about a street corner sniffing glue or smoking hash or snorting cocaine or plotting an act of vandalism - and then visualise those self-same young gentlemen doing 50 press-ups on a parade ground before sunrise, or saluting a superior officer, or learning to operate as part of a team under challenging circumstances.
Think of that brat in the classroom, threatening to assault his teacher, and then imagine him in uniform as a decent, disciplined, well-motivated servant of the State, with most (if not all) of the badness having been knocked out of him.
Which vision of a future Ireland is preferable? One in which we sink deeper into the swamp of decadence, violence, and moral depravity, or one that enshrines the value of human dignity and self-worth that goes with wearing the uniform of our native or adopted nation?
I suggest that a pressure group or organisation be set up to make a strong case to the Government on this issue and to lobby for the introduction of compulsory military service in Ireland. - Yours, etc,
JOHN FITZGERALD, Lower Coyne Street, Callan, Co Kilkenny.