Compulsory voluntary work for all under 19's

Do you actually think it will work?

They have enough trouble trying to stop teenagers truanting during school hours, let alone in their own free time.

As long as the people on benefits do it im happy.

Am I the only person who thinks this is a good idea then?!
Living in an area where teenagers have no respect for anyone, I think this would encourage them to get off the streets, get involved in the community and think of someone other than themselves for a change.

*ahem* Nanny state *cough-splutter*

I didn't say I thought it would WORK, I said it was a GOOD IDEA.

This is what I'm saying - the Government aren't harsh enough on young people. Teenagers are given too much power. Prison? Jail? Just a holiday! There's nothing to give them the incentive to say "Wait, I shouldn't do this, because if I do the consequences will be bad etc." It's time to get tough on them and ensure they do something other than sit around doing nothing other than disrespecting people. (Not everyone does this, I know, but it's a slipperly slope...!)

Compulsory "voluntary" work isn't going to suddenly give those teenagers the respect they lack. That would come from parents, role models and probablt life experiences and not from being forced to so some work.

Sure they'll be getting involved in the community it's "only" 50 hours and they are not going to suddenly stop thinking of themselves because of this.

I didn't say I thought it would WORK, I said it was a GOOD IDEA.

This is what I'm saying - the Government aren't harsh enough on young people. Teenagers are given too much power. Prison? Jail? Just a holiday! There's nothing to give them the incentive to say "Wait, I shouldn't do this, because if I do the consequences will be bad etc." It's time to get tough on them and ensure they do something other than sit around doing nothing other than disrespecting people. (Not everyone does this, I know, but it's a slipperly slope...!)

Depends what they're doing
If by 'work' Gordon Brown means shops etc, then perhaps not. But if the Government actually gets tough ( ) sending them to do voluntary work like at army bases, in hospitals, nursing homes etc - I think this would open their eyes, show them that their lives aren't that bad after all.

Am I the only person who thinks this is a good idea then?!
Living in an area where teenagers have no respect for anyone, I think this would encourage them to get off the streets, get involved in the community and think of someone other than themselves for a change.

Ha,

I can just imagine the Criminal Records checks taking a year or so per person if this is put into place.

Do you actually think it will work?

They have enough trouble trying to stop teenagers truanting during school hours, let alone in their own free time.

Perhaps they should change their name to 'Forced Labour'.

Not necessarily. I had to do voluntary work when I didn't want to, yet I learnt a lot from it. Plus it gave me direction - you hear a lot about people being given another chance and finding they learn a lot from it.

And even if they don't like it, tough. I think someone's got to stand up to them and not let them get away with the way the youth of today are going...they're given too much power, in my opinion.

I sound really old, I apologise!