Why Teenagers Join The Military

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Continuously, more and more citizens are joining the military, a large percentage of which are teenagers just finishing their high school career. Just in 2016, over 16,000 high school students were recruited. The military must not recruit at the high school level due to the lack of mental maturity in students, the potential for missed opportunities, and the lack of individual freedoms. Often teenagers make immature decisions, such as mismanaging time because their minds are not fully developed. Due to the lack of maturity at this age, it is common for some of these decisions to be regretted in adulthood. In the article, "What We Regret Most … and Why." by Neal Roese, regret is explained, “Accordingly, regret persists in precisely those …show more content…

This can be applied to military recruitment in high schools because the opportunity for action outside of the military (in college etc.) Is very high leaving a lot of room for possible regret. In addition to this, a teenager has an underdeveloped brain. In How Children Develop by Robert Siegler, scientifically, it is discussed why the brain does not have the capacity to make important decisions at this age “Notice particularly that the frontal areas, involved in executive functioning, approach maturity only in late adolescence.” This shows that vibrant teenagers are being enlisted before full maturity at a time in which decision making is not yet at full capacity. Teenagers are recruited at a vulnerable time in life and at this vulnerable time it is easy to make reckless …show more content…

These benefits are especially offered to poorer students that don't see college as an option in their financial situation. These benefits being advertised have had budget cuts such as the cut in 2015 allowing less funding for schooling in the military and impacting veterans. “there is indeed a cap for private schools.” (As discussed by Lisa Anderson in Joining the military to pay for college carries serious risks) Meaning your choices in schools will be limited though some will be payed for. These benefits stretch to many other aspects if the reason a student may enter the military upon financial situation. There are also misconceptions on amounts received. It is dangerous to make the assumption that getting a degree in the military will be a luxury ride as the financial benefits dissipate after just a few years. Students have to hustle for their degree upon entering as coverage only lasts so long “only 36 months of benefits are covered.” (Lisa Anderson). Meaning that students have to quickly decide to get a specific major and they can only really pursue a Bachelor degree. That exact time will increase the stress of college. This can be detrimental to a youth’s career as many of the youth who enter the military upon needing schooling did it because they could not afford college as they did not receive scholarships. In addition to length boot camp, physical work, and duty, schoolwork also has to be juggled which will

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