Ukraine is notable in one way: it does not draw up people under 25 years for war (so far). It trains them, it lets them volunteer, it welcomes if they build technology for war, but it doesn’t order them to go.
What the reasons are, I’m not totally sure, but I think the government and Rada might want to avoid creating a “lost generation” where many experienced wounds or trauma in youth. The generation they are attempting to spare is a weak spot in Ukraine’s population pyramid - relatively few people were born between 1999 and 2004. If that generation has considerably less kids than generations before them, there will be a pretty bad population decline coming.
Of course, some fear that under pressure, government might cave in and start sending increasingly young people to fight. Others meanwhile fear that many will move abroad and never return.
I’m not sure what to think about it. But I’m pretty sure a person just out of school isn’t the best candidate for war. Physical fitness is less important today, but psychological stability under pressure is required.
…and some return, too.
Ukraine is notable in one way: it does not draw up people under 25 years for war (so far). It trains them, it lets them volunteer, it welcomes if they build technology for war, but it doesn’t order them to go.
What the reasons are, I’m not totally sure, but I think the government and Rada might want to avoid creating a “lost generation” where many experienced wounds or trauma in youth. The generation they are attempting to spare is a weak spot in Ukraine’s population pyramid - relatively few people were born between 1999 and 2004. If that generation has considerably less kids than generations before them, there will be a pretty bad population decline coming.
Of course, some fear that under pressure, government might cave in and start sending increasingly young people to fight. Others meanwhile fear that many will move abroad and never return.
I’m not sure what to think about it. But I’m pretty sure a person just out of school isn’t the best candidate for war. Physical fitness is less important today, but psychological stability under pressure is required.