Imagine we are ten years into the future. Omar has just graduated from high school. He plans to go to college to become a teacher. However, a new law requires that all young people allocate one year to serving the community after high school. Teens can choose from a wide range of service opportunities, such as cleaning up parks, registering voters, or building houses for low-income families. Omar chooses to spend his year doing literacy tutoring in an after-school program, which will be good experience before he begins teaching.

Though this is only an imagined future, many people favor imposing a mandatory national service program. Many countries around the world have mandatory service programs for young people, though these programs are often for military service. Other countries, such as France, have mandatory volunteer service programs for youth to learn and apply skills like first aid. People who support service programs argue that helping communities and spending time with people from different backgrounds will create a sense of national unity. In 2017, retired General Stanley McChrystal published an article encouraging “young Americans to spend a service year with peers who are different from them.” He said that, “serving together to solve public problems will build attachment to community and country, understanding among people who might otherwise be skeptical of one another, and a new generation of leaders who can get things done.”

But others oppose this idea for several reasons. They say service programs can be expensive, especially if the government needs to pay to move youth and support them during their service. Some Americans also dislike the notion of mandatory service because it limits individual freedom. They point out that a rigid requirement to spend time doing service could disrupt career or family plans. Some think that young people would get more out of going to college or entering a job-training program. In addition, some worry whether government support would be enough for young people who need to earn money to help their families. Others do support national service but think young people should be free to choose not to participate. For example, former President Barack Obama wanted to develop national service programs. However, he believed participation should be voluntary.

People who do want youth service to be mandatory give several reasons. They say that mandatory youth service could help increase civic engagement and care for our communities. Certain programs could help improve literacy rates and protect the environment. Some people even predict that it would help reduce youth crime. Others point out that, as young people plant trees or build homes, they would be learning valuable skills. The experience might help teens decide what to study in college or help make contacts that could lead to a job.

Americans enjoy many freedoms and protections. Therefore, supporters suggest it’s only fair to impose a requirement for each person to give back through service. However, some say that our freedoms include the right not to serve. What do you think? Should you be required to participate in a year of service after high school?