Lessons learned from WWI.
I just read an article in the Kansas City Star about the rise of narcissism in society since 1982. Narcissism is loving yourself above all other things. The article stated that since the early 1980's we have been teaching our kids that they could be anything they wanted, and that they were special no matter what they did with their life, good or bad. The article was extremely critical of this teaching and i mplied that the people that have been raised to believe this have a selfish and egocentric view about how they should be treated, without the idea that respect and accomplishments should be earned. A perfect example of this idea is MTV's show My Sweet Sixteen, in which sixteen year olds are given lavish parties, because they are sixteen. What kind of accomplishment is that? We should give the party to the people around them for having to put up with their behavior for sixteen years.
Back to the subject. When I ask in class if you would fight in the army if the draft was re-instated, I am always surprised by number of students that say that they would go to Canada, or get out of the country instead of going into the service. The question is: Do you think the attitude of Narcissism plays into the decision not to go into the service if drafted, or do you think it is about the War in Iraq and the current political turmoil surrounding the war? Do you think it is noble, to go into the armed services? Do you think it is noble to oppose war by leaving the country?
posted by bcoffman | 9:39 AM
12 Comments:
I think the reason people decide not go into the service is not only because of the attitude of Narcissism, but also the current political turmoil surrounding the war. Like every historical event has many different causes, this situation is the same. Narcissism’s idea about education is absolutely the underlying element that causes people’s attitude. I think encouraging kids to be what they want is based for good, and it is true that there is no certain right and wrong in this world. Right and wrong comes from what people believe. Living in this world, sometimes you need to follow some basically ethics, which is why we create laws. However, there are some ethics that are not included in our law, such as do we need to go to the service for our country? I think most people choose not to go to the army because they don’t agree with the current polities, but this is just an incident that leads to panic. Should we go into the armed services, or desert the country? I think neither of them is noble. Going into the services means you must follow the politic that you don’t agree with, sometimes you might have to injure the people that you think are innocent, but deserting the country means you give up your country. When I was about 14 years old, I often thought I would leave my country; sometimes I even hated my country. But after I left China, I started realize that I still love China, even though I have many disagreement with the current politics. Every country at every period would have their golden time and dark time, which is a natural reaction. We can’t get away from that, but what we can do is find the way out of the darkness. So except for those two extreme actions, I believe that there must be something else we could do for our country.
I believe that the attitude of narcissism plays in to the decision not to go into war as much as the war in iraq and the current political turmoil surronding the war. True most people today are or were raised under narcissim, but in all reality that is no ones faults but their parents. As a teenager i have seen the armed services as a way for troubled teens to get away and get their act together make something of themselves....before it is absoulty too late. Honestly i believe that no one in their right sate of mind would want to join the armed services solely to go into war. Is it noble? in a way yes i think that serving in the srmed services is a noble thing to do for ones country.Also i believe that it is not noble to oppose was by leaving the country. In fact i think it shows that you are ashamed of your country.
We instill more lessons,ideas, and values in our children today than just narcisism. We may tell kids that they are special no matter what they do or become which is a statement made by push-over parents but we also say dont cheat, dont steal, dont lie, share and respect your friends and family. All good values that just help us to understand at a young age that we should be and stay upholding good citizens. I believe that narcissism has nothing to do with the people not wanting to go to war, but it is the all the bad values and unhonorable lessons. Because of that they do not want to go to war or be good citizens. Some may not want to go becuase of their beliefs and the politcal debates behind our backs that the war is really about. I think joining the armed services is a noble occurrance even if the war is one that we should not be fighting over because soldiers do not pick their battles.
i think the main reason people want to flee the country if a draft is reinstated is because they dont want to leave there famliys i know i wouldnt but i do think joining the armed forces is a noble trait but i would fight for my freedom and others as well even though i wouldnt like it.
Hey Coffman...
I believe it is a honor and my duty that if the draft was brought Back i would fight for my country you live in a free country but where does your freedom come from?
It comes from those who fought and died so that you could live in the land of the free and the home of the brave...yes people tell you that you can be anything you want to be but its not true because some people are more privlaged then others but you can always make a better life for your self thats the good thing about this contry...but me personaly i would fight and if necessary die so that my Family could live FREE!!!!
I think it is very Narcissitic of people to run away and not serve their country. I think that people who sit there and are all about United We Stand, Divided We Fall are full of crap and are hypocrits. Those same people who say that and are all about our men and women being overseas are also the same people saying that they wouldn't go over and that's wrong. If you're so supportive of the idea, you should prove it. If the draft were re-instated, I would deffinately go. As for right and wrong...that's easy. Right and wrong are ideas and beliefs of people and to say that we are all equal no matter what we've done, right or wrng, is saying that no matter what you did, someone can forgive you for it so that you'll forgive them or look the other way just so our country appears to be equal. While people admire those in the service, I believe that we should thank them to an extent. The people that sign up to serve are only signing up for a job, nothing more. Giving them so much thanks is like walking up to a banker and thanking them for handling money everyday or a custodian for cleaning up all day. How often do you see people saluting a teacher or doctor or cashier for doing their job? It's crazy to say that this country is all patriotic when people are only really looking out for themselves. kids being equal no matter what partially exsists when it comes to the service and whatnot, but economically, it's a lie. Slackers cannot be considered as being equal to those who work harder than them. I believe that the harder you work, the more rewards you should get and by work I mean effort. Quality and efficientcy should always rate over quantity and quickness.
ok, for me, it has nothing to do with thinking that "im special in every way no matter what i do" i just dont wanna die! im normal, sure i may think that i may be special in what i do (im nt trying to be concieted). and yes i think it is noble to go into the armed forces, those people have guts and are very brave. heck i admire them for what they do because i sure couldn't do it, i'd get my butt kicked because i cant do 50 push ups.
also i really wouldnt like the fact that i'd be leaving my family, friends and others to go possiby die, sit in the dessert. by the way id go somewhere else besides canada.
but ovverall i really dont think that marcissism has anything to do with not wanting to go into the draft.
I don't believe that the attitude of Narcissism plays a role in people not wanting to fight for their county. It could really be from the war in Iraq or the current political turmoil surrounding the war. Every thing that we see today is something very bad that is shown in regards to the war. Many Americans disagree on how the government handles many situation, so they don't really want to jump in anything on free will. I do believe it is noble, to go into the armed services, but i do believe in fighting for what you believe in. I feel that you shouldn't do things because its just the right thing to do, but to do things because its what you believe in. I also don't see anything thing wrong with people who don't decide to join the armed service because they might have a good reason to do so. I think if you can make a big step to risk your life for other people that's wonderful, but on the other hand i don't think that if you can't make that move then you're not less of a person.
I think that narcissism has a little to do with the fact people do not want to go to war, but I also think people are scared. People are scared about what will happen to their families when they are gone and they are scared that they may never come back. I do not think a draft should be established because it should be your own choice if you want to go to war or not. Know going to war is a very noble thing because you stand up for what you believe in and you overcome your fears. Personally I do not know what I would do if a draft would occur. It is very hard to say what how I would react. Each person is different. As a citizen in the United States you should be allowed to make the decisions to go to war, not have some one order you to.
I think that narcissism has a little to do with the fact people do not want to go to war, but I also think people are scared. People are scared about what will happen to their families when they are gone and they are scared that they may never come back. I do not think a draft should be established because it should be your own choice if you want to go to war or not. Know going to war is a very noble thing because you stand up for what you believe in and you overcome your fears. Personally I do not know what I would do if a draft would occur. It is very hard to say what how I would react. Each person is different. As a citizen in the United States you should be allowed to make the decisions to go to war, not have some one order you to.
Leaving the country to avoid the draft would be wrong. When you are drafted, it's time to "man" or "woman" up. You have to do what you have to do. You can't be a wuss and try to avoid the draft. If I was drafted I would go. Although I wouldn't want to, I would for the safety of our country.
Narcissism is a serious issue in our society. Our parents have taught us that everything we do is special. That is the biggest lie ever told. If you want to do something special, then it has to be original and great. Throwing a basketball into a little hoop is nothing special. Participation trophies should never have been invented.
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