Mandatory Community Service

Mandatory Community Service

Ages 18 - 21

In requiring young adults between the ages of 18 and 21 to conduct mandatory community service within the United States, which would be pushed by the Federal Government, is a positive option I feel would benefit the aid of growing young adults. With today's society many young adults are "blessed" with the privilege of not having to 'lift a finger' in their entire lives while others have to work from day 1 to the end of their lives. Even though this type of class structure has a great divide, it would benefit both the privileged and the less fortunate in the honor of helping each other in this day and age.

This is a topic that has had some focus already and is being pushed through local government through the United States. One such example is a court case that was brought to the Pennsylvania Appeals court in the case Steirer vs. Bethlehem Area School District (987 F.2d 989 - 3rd Cir. 1993- ) where "The Court ruled that mandatory community service could arguably violate the First Amendment if it forces students to declare a belief in the value of altruism or to work with an organization that is contrary to their beliefs. However, the Court rejected in the argument that forced community service was a violation of the Thirteenth Amendment, stating that such service was not involuntary servitude, even though the students were forced to work without pay. The Supreme Court denied review of this case, which simply means they did not accept it for consideration. This does not mean the Supreme Court has expressed any view one way or another on this issue." (see http://www.lc.org/misc/CommunityService.htm )

Another example is of the "National Service Act of 2003" that is sitting in the 108th Congress. This particular Act is requiring that all young adults from the ages of 18 through 26 complete a period of Military Service or a period of Civilian Service. This is being considered due to having young Americans help in the National Defense and Homeland Security.

Although there is good and bad on either side, one must look at the value it has on our community and how it will effect and shape the young minds. Many look at community service as a punishment since this is usually given as a sentence after a crime has been committed. Therefore,